This Arab country has the world's most connected LinkedIn users

If you live in the UAE and you have LinkedIn, you are among the most connected users of the site in the world.

The average LinkedIn user in the UAE has 211 connections, significantly more than its closer competitor, according to data released by LinkedIn at the end of April. Coming just after the UAE in the ranking, the average user in the Netherlands has just 188 connections. 

Singapore follows with 152 average connections, then the United Kingdom with 144 and then Denmark with 143.

"It is great to see the UAE ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to recognizing the value of a strong online professional network," Ali Matar, head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Emerging Markets, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), said, according to Arabian Business. 

"A large majority of the UAE’s workforce has come from abroad - LinkedIn makes it easy for professionals seeking to connect with each other around the world," he said.

Overall, the social network has some 500 million members globally, with 22 million of those residing in the MENA region.

Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed joined LinkedIn just this week, calling it "a new platform to communicate with the public."

Sheikh Hamdan explained that his LinkedIn page would be used to keep the public in the know about projects and initiatives being worked on in Dubai. He also emphasized the emirate's efforts to connect with people "wherever they are, through various social media platforms."

But the crown prince is simply following his father's lead. Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has been on LinkedIn for some time.

Just like his son plans to do, the ruler of Dubai – who also serves as the vice president and prime minister of the UAE – uses the platform to connect with the public. He regularly pens open letters, which he publishes through his profile.