UAE Tops Global VPN Use with Over 6 Million Downloads in Half a Year
Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, UK, Kuwait, and Luxembourg were also among the top ten countries with the highest usage.
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The UAE has recorded one of the highest rates of virtual private network (VPN) adoption in the world, with more than 6.1 million downloads in the first half of 2025. The growing number of downloads reflects the increasing demand for online privacy and unrestricted internet access among residents.
According to data from Cybernews, the UAE’s VPN adoption rate reached 65.78% between 2020 and the first half of 2025, the highest worldwide. Qatar followed with 55.43%, Singapore with 38.23%, Nauru with 35.49%, and Oman with 31%. Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, the UK, Kuwait, and Luxembourg were also among the top ten countries with the highest usage.
The UAE saw 9.2 million VPN downloads in 2024, 7.81 million in 2023, and 6.54 million in 2022. If the current pace continues, total downloads in 2025 are expected to surpass last year’s figure. The continued increase in VPN use also comes as the country’s population reaches a record 11.44 million, according to Worldometer data.
Legal Use and Misuse
VPN use is permitted in the UAE, but authorities have warned that misuse of these services for illegal purposes can result in severe penalties.
Under Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 on combating rumours and cybercrimes, anyone who uses a VPN to hide their identity, commit a crime, or access restricted websites and applications can face fines between AED 500,000 and AED 2 million, as well as imprisonment.
The law particularly applies to those who attempt to bypass restrictions on voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) services such as WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime, which remain limited in the country.
VPN Use Across the Gulf
Other Gulf nations also record high VPN adoption rates. After the UAE, Qatar has 39.6% usage, followed by Oman with 36.7%, Nauru with 33.2%, Singapore with 27.5%, and Saudi Arabia with 19.7%. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the Maldives, and Jordan also feature among the top users globally.
Analysts attribute the high adoption rates in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to restrictions on online communication platforms and growing public concerns about digital privacy. Cybernews noted that VPN use is most common in regions where governments impose strong internet controls, especially in the Middle East.
Global Comparison
In contrast, African countries have the lowest VPN adoption rates. None of the 21 nations surveyed on the continent ranked among the top 50 worldwide. Eight of the ten countries with the lowest usage are located in Africa.
