Adoption of communication technologies in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Adoption of communication technologies was 2.29 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
2.29 million
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
47th
of 212 countries
All-time high
2.38 million
in 2020
All-time low
25,808
in 1975
Years of data
50
1975–2024
Adoption of communication technologies in United Arab Emirates, 1975–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adoption of communication technologies in United Arab Emirates is 2.29 million, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 1.5% on the previous year and up 9.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in United Arab Emirates peaked at 2.38 million in 2020 and was at its lowest, 25,808, in 1975.
United Arab Emirates ranks 47th of 212 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 25,808 | — |
| 1976 | 36,061 | +39.7% |
| 1977 | 49,830 | +38.2% |
| 1978 | 72,082 | +44.7% |
| 1979 | 96,386 | +33.7% |
| 1980 | 120,591 | +25.1% |
| 1981 | 142,591 | +18.2% |
| 1982 | 163,098 | +14.4% |
| 1983 | 177,841 | +9.0% |
| 1984 | 188,806 | +6.2% |
| 1985 | 207,052 | +9.7% |
| 1986 | 220,678 | +6.6% |
| 1987 | 247,800 | +12.3% |
| 1988 | 296,143 | +19.5% |
| 1989 | 352,730 | +19.1% |
| 1990 | 396,435 | +12.4% |
| 1991 | 437,503 | +10.4% |
| 1992 | 491,549 | +12.4% |
| 1993 | 553,206 | +12.5% |
| 1994 | 615,124 | +11.2% |
| 1995 | 672,330 | +9.3% |
| 1996 | 738,074 | +9.8% |
| 1997 | 835,090 | +13.1% |
| 1998 | 915,223 | +9.6% |
| 1999 | 975,178 | +6.6% |
| 2000 | 1.02 million | +4.6% |
| 2001 | 1.05 million | +3.2% |
| 2002 | 1.09 million | +3.9% |
| 2003 | 1.14 million | +3.9% |
| 2004 | 1.19 million | +4.6% |
| 2005 | 1.24 million | +4.1% |
| 2006 | 1.31 million | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 1.39 million | +5.8% |
| 2008 | 1.60 million | +15.2% |
| 2009 | 1.58 million | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 1.48 million | -6.4% |
| 2011 | 1.83 million | +23.4% |
| 2012 | 1.97 million | +7.8% |
| 2013 | 2.09 million | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 2.10 million | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 2.26 million | +7.4% |
| 2016 | 2.29 million | +1.2% |
| 2017 | 2.32 million | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 2.34 million | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 2.36 million | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 2.38 million | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 2.24 million | -5.8% |
| 2022 | 2.29 million | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 2.26 million | -1.2% |
| 2024 | 2.29 million | +1.5% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 2.29 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 445,236, 5.2× the median. (82 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 2.29 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1.22 million, 1.9× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 56,033 | 25,808 | 96,386 | 5 |
| 1980s | 211,733 | 120,591 | 352,730 | 10 |
| 1990s | 662,971 | 396,435 | 975,178 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.26 million | 1.02 million | 1.60 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.10 million | 1.48 million | 2.36 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.29 million | 2.24 million | 2.38 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More reference data data for United Arab Emirates
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0407 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.4839 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0001 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1364 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0486 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0008 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in United Arab Emirates?
- Adoption of communication technologies in United Arab Emirates was 2.29 million in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 2.38 million in 2020.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 25,808 in 1975.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 47th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 50 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).