The United Arab Emirates has been named the world’s most tech-dependent country, with universal internet access and residents spending nearly eight hours daily on digital devices. The findings come from a global study by TRG Datacenters, which measured reliance on digital platforms through metrics such as daily screen time, social media adoption, and streaming service penetration.
The research revealed that UAE residents spend an average of 7 hours and 59 minutes per day on screens, including nearly three hours dedicated to social media. TikTok leads platform adoption in the country, with more than 94,300 users per 100,000 people—outpacing Instagram in popularity.
Globally, screen time has surged by 42% since 2020, while face-to-face interactions have declined by a third, signaling a shift in how people communicate and spend leisure time. A TRG Datacenters spokesperson noted that unlike television, which had limits, social media feeds are endless, driving higher levels of engagement and making disconnection more difficult.
On the Tech Dependency Index, Brazil ranked second, logging the world’s longest screen use at 9 hours and 9 minutes daily, while Saudi Arabia placed third at just over 7 hours. Turkey and Singapore followed, with daily averages of 7 hours 13 minutes and 6 hours 33 minutes respectively. Other top 10 countries include Portugal, the United States, Australia, Norway, and Sweden, where social media and streaming platforms also dominate daily routines.
The report underscores the widening role of digital platforms in shaping work, communication, and entertainment worldwide. In the UAE, the findings reinforce the nation’s hyper-connected landscape, where universal access and widespread adoption of emerging platforms place it at the forefront of the global digital shift.
