Spending on digital media downloads and subscriptions in the country last year was one billion and 902 million dirhams, according to the “Digital Emirates 2023… Facts and Figures” report, published by the Communications and Digital Government Regulation. Authority.

The report showed that video games topped the list with 1.05 billion dirhams, followed by video clips (based on demand) worth 592.7 million dirhams, followed by digital publishing with 132.16 million dirhams, and finally digital publishing. 125.8 million dirham worth of music.

According to data and statistics published in the report, digital media in the UAE is on an upward trajectory, benefiting from the country’s leading infrastructure in the communications industry, which ranks first in the world in fiber-optic network index. Connectivity to homes helps it become the world’s number one user of the Internet.

Digital media indicators in the UAE reflect the strength of its presence and its growing influence on public opinion, with the report predicting the digital advertising market to grow by 12.1% to reach 3.72 billion dirhams in 2022, up from 3.319 billion dirhams in 2021. The report confirmed that the UAE has become a leading global model for digital harmony between the government sector, private sector and community members.

The report noted the level of digital maturity that characterizes users and service providers in the UAE, creating an integrated digital environment that is poised to advance towards better leadership and excellence.

Notably, the UAE launched a national strategy for the digital economy in April last year, which aims to double the contribution of the digital economy from 9.7% in 2022 to 19.4% in the next 10 years. The country should become the hub of the most prosperous digital economy in the region and the world.