UAE Social Media Statistics in 2024

The UAE is like the social media capital of the world. As of January 2024, 99% of people use the internet there. And as per social media statistics worldwide, there are 5.07 billion social media users in which 11.50 million resides in Dubai. They make up to 112.30% penetration. The number of social media user identities in the UAE exceeds the total population of 10.24 million, showing that social media is a significant part of the daily lives of UAE citizens. The number of social media users is increasing every year. The number has increased from 5.40 million in 2024 to 11.50 million in 2024.

This blog will discuss the UAE social media statistics in 2024 and the use of each social app there.

Also Read: Successful social media marketing tips

UAE Social Media Statistics According To Social Apps:

Below are statistics of each social media app in UAE:

1) WhatsApp:

WhatsApp is the most used social media app in Dubai. It has nearly 5.66 million active users who spend an average of 15 hours and 16 minutes a day on WhatsApp. It seems like WhatsApp is the favorite app of the people of Dubai because of its diverse user base, which includes people aged 16 to 64. For them, WhatsApp is like a new technology that helps them keep in touch with their friends and family. UAE social media stats tells that there are 3.435 million people who said that staying in touch with their peers through WhatsApp is the only reason they use it.

2) Facebook:

The second most used app in Dubai, Facebook, has a user base of 9.10 million people. This means that 95.2% of Dubai’s population, including 73.2% men and 26.8% women, use this app. Facebook saw an increase of 24.7% in its user base between January 2023 and January 2024 and 1.1% between October 2023 and January 2023. As a result, the number of people who use Facebook grew from 4 million to 9 million. People in Dubai spend an average time of 12 hours and 28 minutes a day using this app. Similar to Whatsapp, its user base is also diverse. People between 16 and 64 years old use it the most. They add up to 22.80% of Dubai’s population who are active Facebook users.

3) Instagram

The third most used platform, Instagram, holds a user base of 5.28 million people. Statistics show that 80.10% of internet users in Dubai have an Instagram account. Social media statistics in UAE showed that 20.40% of people, making up around 1.35 IG users there, revealed that Instagram is their favorite social media app. Perhaps that’s why they spend around 13 hours and 18 minutes a month using Instagram. It saw a major growth of 41.4% in its user base, with an increase of 41.4% from January 2023 to January 2024. Unlike WhatsApp and Facebook, Instagram users’ ages range between 25 and 34, with 29.10% of users being men and 12.70% being women. And when it comes to IG, we can’t talk much without mentioning influencers. Jumana Khan is an IG influencer in Dubai with over 9 million followers.

4) TikTok:

TikTok is the fourth most used app in Dubai. Almost 10.73  million people who are over 18 are active users of this app in Dubai in 2024. This makes up 71.80% of the total population of Dubai, including 40.0% women and 60 % men. They spend an average of 27 hours 12 minutes a day using TikTok. TikTok saw a potential increase of 30.4% in its user base in 2024, highlighting its popularity and impact amongst the people of Dubai. UAE social media statistics revealed that 29.80% of TikTok users use the app for this purpose, besides social interaction.

5) Facebook Messenger:

Facebook Messenger is the 5th most used app, with 64.70% of internet users aged 16 to 64 using it monthly, making up 4.27 million people. They spend an average of 15 hours and 2 minutes a month using this app. The app saw a major growth of 11.9% from January 2023 to January 2024, increasing its users by 600,000 in number. In early 2024, Facebook Messenger had a significant user base of 5.65 people. Unlike Facebook, Messenger has a target audience of people aged between 25 and 34. 29.10% of them are men and 12.70% are girls. The difference between FB and FB Messenger is that Messenger helps Meta’s platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger) show ads to people.

6) Twitter/X:

Twitter/X is the sixth most used social media app, with 54.40% of internet users, making up 3.59 million people in Dubai. They spend an average of 3 hours and 48 minutes using Twitter. Its user base represents 32.7% of Dubai’s population who are aged 13 and above. 33.7% of them are women, while 66.3% are men. However, X infers user gender from profile data and activity, so it might not always be accurate. A report says that the numbers X gives might be wrong because they don’t separate human and non-human accounts.

7) LinkedIn:

LinkedIn is the seventh most used social app in Dubai, with 82.7% of users aged between 16 and 64 using it. This makes up to 7.90 million people using it. LinkedIn saw a potential growth of 5.3%, increasing 400 users between October 2023 and January 2024. 30.8% of them are women, while 69.2% are men. While its user base is a bit smaller compared to platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, people still spend an average of about 1 hour and 6 minutes daily on LinkedIn. UAE social media statistics reveals that only 30% of Dubai’s population use LinkedIn for professional use. However, LinkedIn measures its audience based on total registered members rather than monthly active users. This sets it apart from other social media platforms.

8) Telegram:

Telegram is the eighth most used app in Dubai, with 51.70% of people using it, making nearly 3.41 million users. They spend an average of 3 hours and 31 minutes a day using Telegram. It has also remained one of the most popular messages in Dubai in the years 2022 and 2023. However, it is now known as a potential scam social media app because of frauds that happened on it. Perhaps that’s why only 1.40% of people aged 16 to 64 like it best. Those scammers used it, as per reports, to communicate with the people they targeted.

9) Snapchat:

Snapchat is the ninth most-used app in Dubai, with 4.58 million active users, representing 47.9%  of people aged 16 to 64. They spend an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes a day on Snapchat. This app is young people’s favorite. Snapchat saw a potential growth of 14.4%, increasing 575k users in early 2024. In 2023, Snapchat’s ads reached 48.4% of the local internet users, as per social media statistics in UAE. Most of its users are in the 18-24 age bracket. 39.8% of them are women, while 58.7% are men. That’s the reason Snapchat gives businesses and marketers some good opportunities to engage with younger audiences through Snap Ads, Filters, and Lenses.

10) Pinterest:

The final app in our list, Pinterest, is used by 32.40% of UAE population aged 16 to 64. They make up 2.14 million people of UAE population. Pinterest is good for people in UAE who like pictures and creative stuff. It’s not as big as WhatsApp and Facebook, but it’s still important for artists and people who want to sell things. People use Pinterest to find cool pictures and ideas for crafts, decorating, and fashion. While Pinterest may not have a lot of users in UAE, it’s popular among certain groups in UAE. As a result, it is a good choice for businesses and individuals who want to reach people who like visual and creative content.

Read: Why is Social Media Bad for Kids? – Teens and Social Media

Main Reasons For Using Social Media:

Conclusion:

Lots of people use social media like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok in Dubai. These social apps are a big part of their lives and they use these apps everyday. This shows that social media is super important in the eyes of people of Dubai to stay in touch with their peers and have fun. Social media statistics in UAE tells that they also use social media for doing business in the country. If you want to reach people in the UAE, social media marketing is the way to go. Contact First Growth Marketing Agency today to get a free quote on how to start advertising your business on social media in Dubai.