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Between 2013 and 2020, the number of internet users in Qatar increased consistently each subsequent year. However, this trend ended in 2021, when the number of internet users in the country fell for the first time during the period, dropping by *** percent or roughly *** thousand users. The total population of Qatar in 2023 was approximately million.

Internet in Qatar

Qatar boasts an advanced internet and telecommunications network. The consolidation of its population in an area of less than 4,500 square miles has allowed the country to easily supply its entire population. This has also enabled it to be one of the leading countries in mobile internet speed, although its fixed broadband speeds are not as fast as other countries. The high penetration of reliable internet in the country has also contributed to the growth of streaming platforms such as the MBC Group-owned ShahidÌý²¹²Ô»å Netflix.

Growing digitization in the GCC

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been pushing for greater digitization of both public and private sector services. Growing investments in digitization efforts are part of a wider effort to offer efficient services and diversify the economy. Today, many government services in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar can easily be accessed online. Many healthcare services, such as booking appointments, conducting physician consultations via video conference, and accessing health documents, can easily be done through a web portal or a mobile application. The proliferation of such services has also stimulated the consumer market, with countries in the GCC reporting record revenue in digital healthÌý²¹²Ô»å the fintech market. Smart Cities is another project cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have advanced to make public services more efficient. These policies also aim to facilitate sectors, such as education, startups, and businesses, and integrate new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain.