Middle East Internet Usage and Population Statistics

MIDDLE EAST

Population
( 2007 Est. )

Usage, in
Dec/2000

Internet Usage,
Latest Data

% Population
(Penetration)

(%) of
M.E.

Use Growth
(2000-2007)

Bahrain

708,573

40,000

157,300

22.2 %

0.5 %

293.3 %

Iran

65,397,521

250,000

18,000,000

27.5 %

53.7 %

7,100.0 %

Iraq

27,499,638

12,500

36,000

0.1 %

0.1 %

188.0 %

Israel

6,426,679

1,270,000

3,700,000

57.6 %

11.0 %

191.3 %

Jordan

6,053,193

127,300

796,900

13.2 %

2.4 %

526.0 %

Kuwait

2,505,559

150,000

816,700

32.6 %

2.4 %

444.5 %

Lebanon

3,925,502

300,000

950,000

24.2 %

2.8 %

216.7 %

Oman

3,204,897

90,000

319,200

10.0 %

1.0 %

254.7 %

Palestine(West Bk.)

2,535,927

35,000

266,000

10.5 %

0.8 %

660.0 %

Qatar

907,229

30,000

289,900

32.0 %

0.9 %

866.3 %

Saudi Arabia

27,601,038

200,000

4,700,000

17.0 %

14.0 %

2,250.0 %

Syria

19,314,747

30,000

1,500,000

7.8 %

4.5 %

4,900.0 %

United Arab Emirates

4,444,011

735,000

1,708,500

38.4 %

5.1 %

132.4 %

Yemen

22,230,531

15,000

270,000

1.2 %

0.8 %

1,700.0 %

TOTAL Middle East

192,755,045

3,284,800

33,510,500

17.4 %

100.0 %

920.2 %

NOTES: (1) The Middle East Statistics were updated as of December 31, 2007. (2) CLICK on each country name to see detailed data for individual countries and regions. (3) The demographic (population) numbers are based on data from the Census Bureau. (4) Internet usage numbers come from various sources and are compiled here, see the site surfing guide. (5) The most recent usage information comes mainly from the data published by Nielsen//NetRatings, ITU, and other reliable sources. (6) For growth comparison purposes, the usage data published by ITU for the year 2.000 is furnished. (7) Data may be cited, giving due credit and establishing an active link back to InternetWorld Stats. Copyright © 2008, Miniwatts Marketing Group. All rights reserved.

Middle East Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Overviews
The Paul Budde reports give an over view of the Middle Eastern telecoms markets. The markets are changing, with rapidly increasing competition in the mobile sector and slowly reducing state involvement. Licence tenders to operate privately owned mobile networks have recently taken place, are taking place or are about to take place in seven of the fourteen countries. Mobiles are taking market share from declining fixed-line markets in the more developed countries. Internet use and broadband development are generally low for the relative levels of economic development but both Israel and the UAE are significant exceptions.

See the Middle East page for details >>