Middle East Internet Usage and Population Statistics

MIDDLE EAST

Population
( 2009 Est. )

Usage, in
Dec/2000

Internet Usage,
Latest Data

% Population
(Penetration)

User Growth
(2000-2009)

(%) of
Table

Bahrain

728,709

40,000

402,900

55.3 %

907.3 %

0.7 %

Iran

66,429,284

250,000

32,200,000

48.5 %

12,780.0 %

56.1 %

Iraq

28,945,569

12,500

300,000

1.0 %

2,300.0 %

0.5 %

Israel

7,233,701

1,270,000

5,263,146

72.8 %

314.4 %

9.2 %

Jordan

6,269,285

127,300

1,500,500

23.9 %

1,078.7 %

2.6 %

Kuwait

2,692,526

150,000

1.000,000

37.1 %

566.7 %

1.7 %

Lebanon

4,017,095

300,000

945,000

23.5 %

215.0 %

1.6 %

Oman

3,418,085

90,000

465,000

13.6 %

416.7 %

0.8 %

Palestine(West Bk.)

2,461,267

35,000

355,500

14.4 %

915.7 %

0.6 %

Qatar

833,285

30,000

436,000

52.3 %

1,353.3 %

0.8 %

Saudi Arabia

28,686,633

200,000

7,700,000

26.8 %

3,750.0 %

13.4 %

Syria

21,762,978

30,000

3,565,000

16.4 %

11,783.3 %

6.2 %

United Arab Emirates

4,798,491

735,000

2,922,000

60.9 %

297.6 %

5.1 %

Yemen

22,858,238

15,000

370,000

1.6 %

2,366.7 %

0.6 %

Gaza Strip

1,551,859

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

TOTAL Middle East

202,687,005

3,284,800

57,425,046

28.3 %

1,648.2 %

100.0 %

NOTES: (1) The Middle East Statistics were updated as of September 30, 2009. (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 US 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 Online, 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 © 2009, Miniwatts Marketing Group. All rights reserved.

Visit the Middle East page for country details >>

Middle East Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Overviews
The Paul Budde reports give an over view of the Middle Eastern telecoms markets. These 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.

Visit the Middle East Telecommunications page for more country reports >>