UAE Tops World Ranking for Tech Dependency and Daily Screen Use in 2025

Photo by Tim Gouw

UAE Leads in Digital Engagement and Screen Time Globally

UAE tech dependency 2025 highlights the nation’s prominent position as the world’s most digitally engaged population, with residents spending nearly 8 hours daily on digital devices. This high level of technology reliance drives significant shifts in consumer behavior, boosts e-commerce growth, and creates abundant opportunities for digital marketing. Leading social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram play major roles in shaping this dynamic digital ecosystem.

Social Media Trends Driving the UAE Digital Economy in 2025

Social media penetration and daily active users in the UAE continue to climb, with residents spending nearly three hours daily on a variety of platforms. While TikTok leads with high engagement thanks to its short-form video content, other major platforms also dominate the landscape. WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging app, followed closely by Facebook and Instagram, which remain essential for personal and business communication. Facebook Messenger is also heavily used, underscoring the importance of integrated communication tools in the UAE.

Instagram, with over 7.6 million users, is particularly popular among younger audiences, offering features like Reels and Stories that complement TikTok’s dominance in short video content. LinkedIn remains a key platform for professional networking, especially among the large expatriate and business communities across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Additionally, Snapchat enjoys popularity among younger demographics for its ephemeral content.

These trends create vast opportunities for brands targeting the UAE’s digitally fluent population who prioritize mobile-first engagement and immersive digital experiences.

The UAE’s Technology Market Growth in 2025

Spearheaded by forward-looking government policies emphasizing AI adoption, smart cities, and 5G rollout, the UAE’s tech ecosystem supports digital transformation. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become magnets for tech investment, innovation hubs, and global business operations. Resultantly, Dubai and Abu Dhabi leads as best cities for digital nomads in 2025 and mobile professionals worldwide.

Industry forecasts expect the technology services market to boost revenue by $3.8 billion this year, sustaining a 6.24% annual growth rate projected through 2029 to nearly $4.8 billion. This cements the UAE’s role as a premier global technology hub fostering startups, innovation, and digital economy growth.

UAE Tech Dependency 2025 – Emerging Technologies and Investment Momentum

AI, fintech, IoT, and cybersecurity sectors have witnessed remarkable growth with a 145% increase in venture capital funding in 2025, underscoring investor confidence and reinforcing the UAE’s position as an innovation leader in the Middle East.

Significant venture capital deals highlight the ecosystem’s vibrancy. For example, Dubai fintech startup Tabby raised a $160 million Series E round, while Abu Dhabi-based Vista Global secured $600 million for its private aviation tech innovations. These high-value investments signal global investor trust in local startups and the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive tech innovation environment.

The UAE Digital Economy Strategy, launched in 2022, aims to increase the contribution of digital sectors from approximately 11.7% to over 20% of GDP within the next decade. This ambitious framework supports startups, research and development, and regulatory reforms designed to attract foreign direct investment and enhance regional competitiveness. In 2025, UAE tech dependency continues to grow, with unprecedented digital engagement levels fueling innovation and transforming consumer behavior across the nation.

With these combined efforts, the UAE is transitioning from a regional player to a global leader in emerging technologies, positioning itself as a key driver of economic diversification and knowledge-based growth in the 21st century.

Balancing Digital Progress with Wellbeing in the UAE 2025

As technology dependence intensifies, the UAE places increasing emphasis on digital wellbeing to promote a healthy balance between online engagement and offline life. Recognizing the potential risks of prolonged screen time, especially among children, where over two hours of daily screen exposure is linked to higher blood pressure and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, the UAE government actively fosters programs to ensure citizens’ holistic digital health.

Additionally, the UAE Council for Digital Wellbeing, established in 2020, continues to roll out awareness campaigns and policy development focused on maintaining a balanced digital lifestyle for all age groups.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How much is the UAE technology market expected to grow in 2025?
The UAE technology services market is expected to increase revenue by $3.8 billion in 2025, with an annual growth rate of approximately 6.24% through 2029, reaching an estimated $4.8 billion. This growth is supported by government initiatives in AI, smart cities, and 5G rollout.

Q2. Which social media platforms are most popular in the UAE in 2025?
TikTok leads with short-form video engagement. Other major platforms include WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn, and Snapchat, all playing key roles in personal, business, and professional communications.

Q3. What are the key emerging technologies attracting investment in the UAE in 2025?
Key sectors include AI, fintech, IoT, and cybersecurity. Venture capital funding in these areas increased by 145% in 2025, with notable deals like Dubai’s Tabby raising $160 million and Vista Global securing $600 million.

How Research Konnection Supports UAE Market Research & Feasibility Studies

Research Konnection is one of the leading market research companies in UAE that combines market knowledge with regional expertise to guide entrepreneurs and SMEs through:

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Comprehensive Feasibility Studies: Evaluations of market demand, regulatory frameworks, operational and financial viability of a business venture for clients seeking feasibility study services in Dubai.

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Our services empower clients to capitalize on the UAE’s growing tech economy supported by reliable data and actionable strategies.

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