We are social, and Hootsuite has just published the Egyptians and Digital: 2022 Report. It has become a global reference for internet, mobile, and social media stats. Let’s dive into the #Digital2022 report to explore key insights on Egyptians and digital use.
Consult the latest update here: Egyptians and Digital 2026 Report
INTERNET USAGE IN EGYPT
Egypt’s population was 105.2 million in January 2022, up 1.9% in one year. Meanwhile, the number of internet users followed the same trend (+1.9%). Consequently, the proportion of internet users in Egypt remained 72%.
Each internet user in Egypt spends an average of 8h02 minutes per day online, 26 minutes more than in 2021. This is clearly above the global average of 6h58.
Social media users increased by +5% between 2021 and 2022.
SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE
In January 2022, Egypt will have 2.5 million more active social media users than in January 2021. These 51.5 million active social media users represent 70% of Egyptians aged 13 and above (49% of the overall population).
In 2021, Egyptian internet users aged 16 to 64 spent 3 h 13 minutes on social media, up 7 minutes from the previous year. There was an equal time spent on social media and TV (broadcast and streaming) in 2021, 3 h 06. One year later, TV time increased by 1 hour (+33%). In terms of usage time, “good old” TV beat social media in 2021.
TOP 10 OF THE MOST USED SOCIAL MEDIA IN EGYPT
Let’s look at the details of which social media platforms are the most used in Egypt, and the significant evolutions between 2021 and 2022:
Facebook remains the most important social media platform in Egypt, reaching more than 83% of Egyptian internet users each month. The 2022 Report on Egyptians and digital uses did not consider YouTube a social media platform, even though it was the leading one in 2020. However, YouTube remained the platform with the most active users in Egypt in 2021 (46.3 million).
IMPRESSIVE LEAP FOR NEWCOMERS
The two newest entrants in the 2021 top 10 show double-digit growth.
TikTok made a smashing entry in the 2020 ranking, landing directly in 7th place. But this year, its +17% growth has pushed the Chinese platform to 5th place.
Telegram is the second newcomer, with nearly 49% of Egyptian internet users aged 16-64 using its platform at least once a month. The instant messaging app, founded by 2 Russian citizens and based in Dubai, is known for its security and end-to-end encrypted communications.
THE SOCIAL MEDIA GENDER GAP
Interestingly, in Egypt, social networks are very gendered.
The overall population is roughly half male (50.4%) and half female (49.6%). However, most social media users worldwide are men.
In 2021, 46% of social network users were women, and 54% were men. Yet, this imbalance is more important in Egypt than in most countries.
We wanted to compare Egypt’s situation with those of other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. Only a third (38%) of social network users in Egypt are women, while women make up half the population (49.5%). The gap between the proportion of women in the total population and the proportion of social media users is largest in Egypt.
GENDER GAP BY SOCIAL MEDIA
Gender-differentiated usage is also very pronounced when looking at platform details.
Source: Datareportal 2022
LinkedIn and Facebook are the most masculine social networks (71% and 64% of users are men, respectively).
Conversely, Snapchat is the most feminine social network, with 63% of users being women. Instagram ranks second, with 46% women and 54% men. By gender, Instagram was Egypt’s most balanced social network in 2021.
Find the complete 2022 Report on Egyptians and digital uses here!
