The UAE ranks first globally for the average number of social media platforms actively used each month by internet users aged 16 and over.

According to data from GWI published in the Digital 2026 Global Overview Report, each internet user in the UAE actively uses an average of 8.69 social media platforms per month, the highest figure among the markets surveyed.

The global average stands at 6.76 platforms per month, meaning users in the UAE actively use around 1.93 more platforms than the worldwide average.

The metric measures the number of different platforms users actively engage with during a month, rather than the number of accounts they hold.

One factor contributing to the UAE’s leading position is its extensive digital infrastructure. According to the Digital 2026 report, the country had around 11.3 million internet users in October 2025, with internet penetration reaching 99 per cent.

High mobile internet speeds also play a significant role in driving the use of video apps and visual content. According to Ookla data published in the report, the UAE’s median mobile internet download speed reached 614.42 Mbps in August 2025, placing the country at the top of the global rankings for this indicator. Mobile internet speeds in the UAE also increased by 54.2 per cent over 12 months.

GWI data shows that UAE residents watch an average of around 15.08 hours of video content per week, placing the country seventh globally. The figure covers video content of various lengths and is not limited to videos posted on social media.

The wide range of social media uses is another reason users in the UAE engage with several platforms simultaneously. They may use one platform for messaging, another for video and entertainment, a different network for professional connections, and others for news or specialist content.

According to GWI data, social media accounts for more than nine hours of UAE users’ weekly media consumption.

The UAE’s demographic and cultural diversity may also contribute to the use of multiple platforms, as users connect with different social, professional and geographical groups and choose networks according to their audience or purpose.

Users in the UAE may simultaneously use several platforms to communicate with family and friends, follow local and international content, build professional connections, watch entertainment and engage with brands and digital services.

The UAE’s top global ranking, with an average of 8.69 platforms used per month, shows that users in the country rely on a broad range of digital platforms rather than a single social network.