How has the cost of digital subscriptions ballooned in Saudi Arabia and the world?

Al-Eqtisadiah from Riyadh

Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 18:45 | 2 minutes read

In recent years, digital subscriptions have become an essential part of monthly spending for individuals and families, as services relying on the monthly payment model expand, from entertainment platforms to AI applications, cloud storage, gaming, and professional services.

Estimates indicate that the average Saudi household spends about 450 riyals per month on digital subscriptions, equivalent to approximately 2.9% of the average monthly income. This means some families may spend over 5,000 riyals annually on digital services, some of which may not be used regularly.

This trend is not limited to Saudi Arabia; some households worldwide spend between 3% and 6% of their monthly income on digital subscriptions alone, amid the growing prevalence of the 'pay-per-subscription' model, which has become the preferred choice for many companies.

The digital subscription market in the Middle East and North Africa is witnessing rapid growth, with video streaming subscriptions surpassing 27 million, and the market value is expected to exceed $1.5 billion by the end of 2025, driven by rising demand for streaming, entertainment, AI, and digital applications.

Experts say the model provides companies with a steady revenue stream through regular monthly fees, but it may lead to cost accumulation for users, especially with automatic renewal enabled, which can continue for months unnoticed.

Experts recommend periodically reviewing the list of subscriptions, canceling unused services, and keeping only those that provide real value or help save time and boost productivity.

As the digital economy expands, the problem is no longer the cost of a single subscription but the accumulation of many small subscriptions, which over time can turn into a high annual bill that drains a significant portion of the family budget.

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