YouTube today released new data showing an increase in channels making seven figures or more in revenue in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the platform.
This comes as the platform celebrates its 20th birthday, celebrating two decades as a platform for expression, learning, and entertainment.
YouTube’s new insights revealed that as of December 2024, the number of channels earning seven figures or more in Saudi Riyals increased by 40 per cent year on year.
YouTube creators in the UAE, Saudi and Egypt
Egypt also saw a 60 per cent increase in channels reaching seven-figure annual revenues in EGP, while the UAE experienced a 15 per cent growth in UAE Dirhams during the same time period, reflecting YouTube’s support for its partners and contributions to the creator economy.
Globally, YouTube has paid out $70bn to creators, artists, and media companies over the past three years.
Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube in MENA, said: “As YouTube turns 20, we celebrate the phenomenal work of creators across MENA and their role in driving the region’s popular culture. These creative entrepreneurs skilfully leveraged YouTube’s diverse formats to share their voices and also build thriving businesses that reach global audiences.
“We’re proud to be able to support them in their journey and can’t wait to see what the next 20 years holds”.
New data from YouTube also highlights the global appeal and reach of YouTube creators in MENA, YouTube data found that over 95 per cent of watch time for content from channels in the UAE came from outside the country, alongside over 60 per cent for content produced by channels in Egypt.
In 2010, YouTube launched its Arabic-language user interface to help more people from across the region to share their voice with the world and so that more viewers could engage with the content they love.
In 2012, YouTube launched the YouTube Partner Program in MENA to help creators earn a living by doing what they love.
Over the years, YouTube provided a platform for diverse voices from pioneering Saudi comedy shows like Hatoon Kadi’s Noon Niswa and the animated Masameer to Mohamed Abdelhafez’s World of Agriculture whose agricultural tips have amassed more than 102m views to date.
Some of the region’s most iconic moments took place on YouTube- from Queen Rania of Jordan’s receipt of the YouTube Visionary Award, to the Harlem shake at the Pyramids of Egypt , AboFlah’s fundraiser for refugees and Thamanyah’s Guinness Record breaking podcast episode about relationships.
The diversity of content reflects the richness of MENA’s stories and culture and in turn, the platform’s reach.
YouTube reached 20m, 7.5m people over 18 in Saudi Arabia and the UAE respectively in May 2024.
In Qatar, YouTube reached over 1.7m people aged 25-54 during the same time period.
To help more creators share their stories in a way that is most authentic for them and their audience, YouTube offers a range of formats from video on demand (VOD) to podcasts, live and even bringing YouTube creators to the biggest screen in the home – TV.
In May 2024, YouTube’s data indicates that the platform reached more than 12m people in Saudi Arabia, more than 2.5m people in the UAE and 600,000 people in Qatar over the age of 18 on connected TV.
In two decades, YouTube has contributed to culture and entertainment through video and built a thriving creative economy.
YouTube shares revenue with 3 million creators, artists and partners globally, more than half a million of them started their channel over a decade ago.
As YouTube enters its third decade, the platform continues to invest in supporting content creators across MENA.
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