Advertising in Saudi Arabia - statistics & facts

The Middle East is on track to become one of the world’s fastest growing advertising markets, with advertising spending in the MENA region forecast to reach more than 12 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Saudi Arabia has been driving this growth through its drastic and ongoing digital transformation. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s advertising market was estimated at around two billion U.S. dollars – making it the biggest in the region.

The Saudi Arabian advertising market transformation

  Before Saudi’s steps towards economic, social, and cultural diversification, traditional advertising dominated the industry. Newspapers, TV, and magazines were perceived as more reliable sources than digital platforms. There was more control over media and advertising, which presented a challenge to utilizing new advertising channels like social media. With Saudi’s push towards modernization, the advertising landscape has experienced a significant change. Traditional out-of-home advertising spending witnessed an estimated 25 percent decline in 2024 compared to 2017. In contrast, digital out-of-home advertising spending has experienced a significant increase since 2017.

Social media advertising in the kingdom

  With new opportunities in the digital advertising market, social media advertising spending has steadily increased in recent years. (1451299). As a result of high internet penetration and mobile connectivity, – the kingdom has one of the largest TikTok audiences worldwide. With such large social media audiences, Saudi Arabia has launched the Mawthooq, or "verified" program for social media users, which aims to regulate the advertising and digital content sector in the country. Every Saudi and non-Saudi content creator in the kingdom who earns revenue through advertising on social media must first apply for an official permit. Saudis residing outside of the kingdom should also apply for a permit. While the program aims to put regulations in place, there has been criticism that it might be used for censorship and controlling online free speech.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, May 15, 2024

Key insights

Total ad spending in Saudi Arabia by 2025
2.72bn USD
Creativity score of the advertising market in Saudi Arabia
186
Effectiveness score of the advertising market in Saudi Arabia
94
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Leading outdoor advertising companies worldwide in 2023, by revenue (in million U.S. dollars)

Brands & Leaders

Leading out-of-home (OOH) advertising companies worldwide in 2023, by revenue

Total ad spending in Saudi Arabia from 2018 to 2029 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Advertising

Total ad spending Saudi Arabia 2018-2029

Digital video advertising spending in Saudi Arabia from 2018 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

Online Advertising

Digital video advertising spending Saudi Arabia 2018-2029

Further recommended statistics

Global and regional overview

6

Global and regional overview

Saudi Arabian overview

4

Saudi Arabian overview

Traditional advertising

4

Traditional advertising

Digital advertising

4

Digital advertising

Further reports

Get the best reports to understand your industry

Digital advertising in MENA
Digital advertising in MENA
Advertising in MENA
Advertising in MENA
Advertising in Saudi Arabia
Advertising in Saudi Arabia

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Ayana Mizuno
Ayana Mizuno
Junior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)