Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (2024)

Social media has transformed how we communicate, connect, and consume information in the modern digital age.

What began as a novel way to interact online has exploded into an ecosystem of platforms, each with its own unique features and user demographics.

As these networks continue to evolve and expand their reach, understanding the latest trends and statistics surrounding social media usage has become crucial for businesses, marketers, and individuals alike.

From Facebook‘s ubiquitous presence to the meteoric rise of TikTok, this article delves into the most up-to-date social media statistics, shedding light on user behavior, platform growth, and the ever changing online interactions.

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (1)

Key User Stats

  • As of 2024, there are approximately 5.16 billion active social media users worldwide, which is around 59.3% of the global population.
  • Facebook remains the largest social media platform, with over 3.15 billion monthly active users.
  • YouTube is the second-largest social media platform, with over 2.5 billion active users.
  • Instagram has over 2 billion active users, making it the fourth largest social media platform.
  • TikTok has surpassed 1 billion active users, becoming one of the fastest-growing social media platforms.

Other key Stats

  • Globally, people spend an average of 2 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media platforms.
  • Mobile devices account for 98% of social media usage time, with desktop usage accounting for only 2%.
  • The most popular social media activities include watching videos (82%), reading news (76%), and interacting with friends and family (72%).
  • The gender split for social media users is relatively even, with 48.4% male and 51.6% female users globally.
  • The majority of social media users (59%) are between the ages of 18 and 34.
  • In the United States, 72% of adults use at least one social media platform.
  • Social media penetration rates are highest in Northern Europe (82%), followed by Western Europe (80%), and Southern Europe (75%). To fix below this
  • Emerging markets like Central and Southern Asia have lower social media penetration rates, at 41% and 45%, respectively.
  • Influencer marketing on social media is a rapidly growing industry, projected to reach $16.4 billion in 2022.
  • Social media advertising revenue is expected to surpass $258 billion in 2022, with Facebook and Instagram accounting for the largest share.
  • Social commerce (e-commerce via social media platforms) is gaining popularity, with an estimated $492 billion in sales globally in 2022.

How Many People Use Social Media?

Social media has exploded in popularity, with a staggering 5.16 billion users worldwide.

Usage is highest in North America and Europe where over 80% are active users.

However, emerging economies in Asia and Africa are rapidly catching up driven by increasing access to affordable smartphones and mobile data.

Social Media Users: 2017 to 2027

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (2)

The table shows the growth of social media users globally from 2017, starting with 2.80 billion users, to a projected increase to 5.84 billion by 2027.

It shows a consistent and significant rise in social media adoption over the years. From 2017 to 2020, the numbers rose from 2.80 billion to 3.96 billion, marking a noticeable increase likely spurred by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trend continues with an increase from 4.48 billion in 2021 to 4.95 billion in 2023, and further projections indicate a steady climb to over 5 billion users by 2024, reaching approximately 5.84 billion by 2027.

YearSocial Media User
2027(estimated)5.84 billion
2026(estimated)5.74 billion
2025(estimated)5.32 billion
20245.16 billion
20234.95 billion
20224.59 billion
20214.48 billion
20203.96 billion
20193.48 billion
20183.19 billion
20172.80 billion

Source: Backlingo

Most Popular Social Media Platforms Worldwide

  1. Facebook leads the pack with 3.04 billion users, maintaining its position as the most extensive social networking site globally.
  2. YouTube follows with 2.5 billion users, reinforcing its status as the premier platform for video sharing and consumption.
  3. WhatsApp and Instagram are tied in the third position, each with 2 billion users. WhatsApp is renowned for its messaging services, while Instagram is a favorite for photo and video sharing.
  4. TikTok, with 1.5 billion users, rounds out the top five, showcasing its rapid rise as a leading platform for short-form video content.

Most Popular Social Media Platforms

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (3)
Social Media PlatformNumber of Users
Facebook3.04 billion
Youtube2.5 billion
Whatsapp2 billion
Instagram2 billion
TikTok1.5 billion
WeChat1.3 billion
Facebook Messenger979 million
Telegram800 million
Douyin752 million
Snapchat750 million
Kuaishou685 million
Twitter619 million
Sina Weibo605 million
QQ558 million
Pinterest482 million
Reddit430 million
Quora400 million

Source: Statista, Datareportal

How Many Accounts Does An Average Social Media User Have?

Typically, a social media user visits an average of 7.2 different social platforms every month.

Average Social Media Accounts Per Person

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (4)
  • In India, the average social media user holds the highest number of accounts, with 11 per person. This suggests a highly diversified use of social media platforms among the Indian population.
  • Following India, the United States sees its average social media user managing 7 accounts, indicating a strong engagement with multiple social media platforms.
  • The United Kingdom also has an average of 7 accounts per person, closely paralleled by Canada, where individuals typically have 7 social media accounts.
  • Japan has the lowest average on this list, with 4 social media accounts per person, suggesting a more concentrated or selective use of social media platforms among the Japanese population.
CountryAverage Social Media Accounts Per Person
India11.4
The United States7.1
The United Kingdom6.9
Canada6.8
Japan3.8

How Much Time Do People Spend On Social Media Per Day?

  • The average daily time spent on social media was 2 hours and 23 minutes worldwide.
  • 7 in 10 U.S. adults used social media, with around 49% saying they used it daily.
  • The average American spent around 2 hours and 8 minutes per day on social media.
  • People aged 16-24 spent the most time on social media at an average of 3 hours and 38 minutes per day.

Time Spend per day by region

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (5)
  • Latin America leads in social media usage, with individuals spending an average of 3 minutes and 32 seconds daily. This suggests a high level of engagement with social media platforms in this region.
  • In the Middle East and Africa (MEA), the daily time spent is slightly lower, averaging 3 minutes and 10 seconds. This still indicates a significant use of social media among its population.
  • The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region sees its users spending 2 minutes and 16 seconds on social media daily, showcasing moderate engagement compared to other areas.
RegionDaily Time Spent
Latin America3 min 32 seconds
MEA3 min 10 seconds
APAC2 min 16 seconds
North America2 min 13 seconds
Europe2 min 10 seconds

Sources: SmartInsight, GWI

Time Spend per day by Country

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (6)
  • Canada reports the highest daily usage, with individuals spending an average of 3 hours and 54 minutes on social media. This indicates a significant portion of the day is dedicated to engaging with social media platforms.
  • Following closely is Spain, where the average time spent is 3 hours and 53 minutes, showcasing a similarly high level of social media interaction among its population.
  • In Nigeria, users spend 3 hours and 49 minutes per day on social media, placing it third on the list and highlighting the important role of social media in daily communication and entertainment.
  • France sees its users engaging with social media for 3 hours and 45 minutes daily, while Brazil has a slightly lower average of 3 hours and 44 minutes.
CountryAverage time spent on social media per day
Nigeria3 hr and 49 min
Brazil3 hr and 44 min
Philippines3 hr and 36 min
Indonesia3 hr and 10 min
Canada3 hr and 54 min
Spain3 hr and 53 min
France3 hr and 45 min
Italy3 hr and 41 min

Which Country Has the Most Social Media Users?

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (7)
  • China leads significantly with 1,021 million users in 2024, and it’s predicted to grow to 1,212 million by 2027.
  • India follows with 755 million users in 2024, with a substantial predicted increase to 1,177 million by 2027.
  • The United States is third, with 302 million users in 2024 and a predicted rise to 327 million by 2027.
CountryUsers In 2024Predicted number of users by 2027
China1,021 million1,212 million
India755 million1,177 million
USA302 million327 million
Indonesia217 million261 million
Brazil165 million188 million
Russia115 million126 million
Japan101 million113 million
Mexico98 million122 million
Philippines84 million92 million
Vietnam72 million81 million
Turkey67 million76 million
UK61 million65 million
Germany60 million73 million
Thailand56 million59 million
France48 million56 million
South Korea46 million47 million
Italy43 million46 million
Nigeria38 million91 million
Canada34 million39 million
Bangladesh24 million34 million

World Regions With The Most Social Media Users In 2024

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (8)
  • East Asia, leading significantly with approximately 1,246.98 million social media users.
  • South Asia, following with 961.81 million users.
  • South-East Asia, ranking third with 527.23 million social media users.
World RegionSocial Media Users
East Asia1,246.98 million
South Asia961.81 million
South-East Asia527.23 million
North America447.82 million
South America316.78 million
Central & Western Europe271.29 million
East Europe191.31 million
South Europe189.28 million
West Asia173.9 million
North Africa166.18 million
West Africa105.91 million
East Africa80.82 million
Southern Africa44.71 million
North Europe29.68 million
Central America28.99 million
Central Asia31.11 million
Central Africa24.71 million

Source:Statista.

Social Media Users by Gender

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (9)

There are 2.65 billion male and 2.15 billion female social media users globally.

GenderNumber Of Social Media Users
Male2.65 billion
Female2.15 billion

Social media users across world regions by Gender:

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (10)
  • In North America, males account for 47% and females for 53% of social media users.
  • South America sees a distribution of 49% male and 51% female users.
  • West Europe presents an equal split with 50% male and 50% female users.
  • In Southern Africa, the ratio is 48% male to 52% female.
  • South Asia has a notable disparity with 72% male and only 28% female users
  • Oceania shows a balance similar to North America and Southern Africa, with 48% male and 52% female users.
World RegionMale UsersFemale Users
North America47%53%
South America49%51%
West Europe50%50%
Southern Africa48%52%
South Asia72%29%
Oceania48%52%

Social media users of top social media platforms by Gender:

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (11)
  • On Facebook, 57% of users are male and 43% are female.
  • Instagram has a closer gender distribution with 51% male and 49% female users.
  • Snapchat sees a majority of female users at 54%, compared to 45% male.
  • Twitter’s user base comprises 56% male and 44% female.
  • TikTok favors a female majority at 57%, against 43% male.
  • YouTube shows a distribution of 54% male to 46% female.
  • LinkedIn, similar to Facebook, has a user base of 57% male and 43% female.
PlatformMale UsersFemale Users
Facebook57%43%
Instagram51%49%
Snapchat45%54%
Twitter56%44%
Tik Tok43%57%
Youtube54%46%
LinkedIn57%43%

Social Media Penetration By Country In 2024

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (12)

The United Arab Emirates had the world’s highest social media penetration rate at 112.5% of the population actively using platforms.

Saudi Arabia (94.3% active usage) and South Korea (93.4%) followed as countries with very high social media usage rates.

Some of the lowest social network penetration rates were in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria with less than 24% of the population accessing social media in each country.

Globally, the average rate of active social media usage was 62.3% as of early 2024. This means around 6 out of every 10 people worldwide used social networking platforms.

CountrySocial Media Penetration Rate
United Arab Emirates112.5%
South Arabia 94.3%
South Korea93.4%
Hong Kong86.2%
Singapore85%
Netherlands85%
Spain83.1%
Malaysia82.8%
UK81.9%
Canada81.7%
Norway87.1%

Source: Statista

Social media penetration rate by world regions:

Highest Social Media Usage Regions in January 2024

Northern Europe had the highest social media penetration globally, with 81.7% of the population using social networks.

Western Europe followed closely with 80.2% usage.

In Southern Europe, 74.8% used social media, placing the region third highest.

Lowest Social Media Usage Regions

On the opposite end, Eastern Africa and Middle Africa exhibited the lowest social media reach worldwide at just 10.1% and 9.6% respectively.

Global Average Social Media Usage

Across the globe, the average social network penetration rate was 32.3% as of January 2024.

This translates to about 6 out of every 10 people around the world using social media platforms. All regions falling below this global average were located in Africa and Asia, with the exception of the Caribbean.

Social media penetration rate by world regions:

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (13)
World RegionSocial Media Penetration Rate
Northern Europe82%
Western Europe80%
Southern Europe75%
Eastern Asia74%
Northern America71%
Eastern Europe70%
Western Asia66%
Central America65%
Southeastern Asia60%
Oceania60%
Caribbean51%
Southern Africa42%
Southern America42%
Northern Africa40%
Central Asia35%
Southern Asia32%
Western Africa16%
Eastern Africa10%
Middle Africa9%
Global62%

Source:Statista.

Social Media Statistics For USA

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (14)

Facebook leads the pack with a significant 74.2% of adults reporting its use, underscoring its dominance as the most widespread platform in the United States.

Instagram follows with a substantial 60.7% share, indicating its strong appeal, particularly for sharing photos and videos.

TikTok, a newer entrant compared to the others, has quickly captured the attention of 42.4% of adults, showcasing its rapid growth and popularity, especially among younger demographics.

Close behind, Twitter is used by 41.8% of adults, serving as a key platform for real-time news and social commentary.

Lastly, Reddit captures 27.9% of adults, emphasizing its role as a community-driven discussion platform.

PlatformShare of Adults using it
Facebook74.2%
Instagram60.7%
Tik Tok42.4%
Twitter41.8%
Pinterest39.0%
Snapchat38.7%
LinkedIn28.7%
Whatsapp28.6%
Reddit27.9%

Stats by Gender

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (15)

78% of females in the US are using social media, compared to 66% of males. This indicates that a higher percentage of females engage with social media platforms than males.

GenderPercentage
Female78%
Male66%

Age of Social Media Users in the USA

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (16)

The distribution of social media users in the USA by age group reveals a clear trend: younger people are more likely to use social media compared to older generations.

Specifically, 84% of those aged 18 to 29 years use social media, a figure that slightly decreases to 81% for the 30 to 49 age group.

Usage continues to drop among older demographics, with 73% for those aged 50 to 64 years, and only 45% of individuals over 65 years engaging with social media platforms.

This pattern illustrates how social media engagement diminishes with age, indicating its higher integration into the lifestyles of younger adults.

Age GroupShare of Users
18 to 29 Years84%
30 to 49 Years81%
50 to 64 Years73%
Over 65 Years45%

Source:Statista,Pew Research,Backlinko.

Stats by Ethnicity

Social media usage in the USA varies by ethnicity, with Hispanic individuals leading at an 80% usage rate.

Black individuals follow closely at 77%, while White individuals have a slightly lower engagement rate of 69%.

EthnicityPercentage
Hispanic80%
Black77%
White69%

Most Popular Social Media Sites in the US

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (17)

In the US, the number of people using different social networks each month is quite different.

Facebook leads with 177 million users.

Instagram is next, with 138 million people using it.

TikTok has quickly become popular, having 109 million users. Snapchat is also widely used, with 90 million people on it.

Pinterest has a strong following too, with 86 million users.

X (previously known as Twitter) has a smaller, but still significant, user base of 50 million.

This shows how different platforms appeal to different audiences across the country.

Social networkMonthly active users in the US (in millions)
Facebook177 million
Instagram138 million
TikTok109 million
Snapchat90 million
Pinterest86 million
X (Twitter)50 million

Source: Emarketer

How Often Do Americans Use Social Media Sites?

Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (18)
  • Facebook sees the highest daily engagement, with 74% of its users logging in daily, while only 9% use it less often. This indicates a strong daily usage habit among Facebook users.
  • Snapchat has 61% of its users checking in daily. Despite a significant daily user base, a larger portion of its users are less frequent visitors compared to Facebook.
  • Instagram features a similar pattern to Snapchat with 63% daily users, 21% using it weekly, and 16% less often.
  • Twitter shows more balanced usage with 42% daily users, 29% weekly, and 29% using it less often.
PlatformLess oftenWeeklyDaily
Facebook9%17%74%
Snapchat22%17%61%
Instagram16%21%63%
Twitter29%29%42%
YouTube17%32%51%

Sources:GlobalWebIndex,DataReportal

Social Media Timeline

1997

  • SixDegrees.com was launched in May, considered the first social media site, allowing users to create profiles and lists of friends.

1998

  • Open Diary established the first social blogging network, pioneering reader comments and friend-only content.

1999

  • YouthStream Media Networks acquired SixDegrees.com for $125 million.
  • Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger were launched.

2000

  • Habbo, a game-based social networking site, was launched.

2001

  • SixDegrees.com shut down.
  • Windows Messenger was made available and included with Windows XP.

2002

  • Friendster, a social networking site based on the Circle of Friends concept, was launched.

2003

  • LinkedIn, a career-oriented social networking service, was launched.
  • MySpace, one of the first massively popular social networking sites, was founded.
  • Skype was launched.

2004

  • Facebook, the world’s most popular social networking service today, was launched.
  • Flickr, an online photo-sharing platform, was launched.
  • Google launched Orkut, a social networking website.
  • News Corporation acquired MySpace for $580 million.

2005

  • Qzone, a Chinese social networking site, went live.
  • Reddit, a social news and discussion website, was founded.
  • YouTube, the video-sharing platform, was launched.
  • Yahoo! acquired Flickr.

2006

  • Twitter, the microblogging platform, was launched.
  • VK (VKontakte), a popular Russian social networking platform similar to Facebook, was launched.
  • Facebook launched its News Feed feature.

2007

  • Tumblr, a microblogging and social networking platform, was launched.

2009

  • Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging network, went live.

2010

  • Pinterest made its debut.
  • Instagram was launched.
  • Quora was launched.

2011

  • Snapchat was launched.
  • Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion.
  • Google+ was launched.
  • News Corp. sold MySpace to Specific Media for $35 million.
  • LinkedIn issued its IPO.
  • Twitch, a live streaming platform for gamers, was launched.

2012

  • Facebook went public with its IPO.
  • Snapchat was launched.
  • Tinder, a dating app, was launched.
  • Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion.

2013

  • Vine, a short-form video hosting service, was launched and quickly acquired by Twitter for $30 million.
  • Twitter filed for its IPO.
  • Google Hangouts was launched.
  • Myspace relaunched with a redesigned website and mobile app.

2014

  • Musical.ly, a video social networking app, was launched.
  • Amazon acquired Twitch for $970 million.
  • Google shut down Orkut.

2015

  • Periscope, a live video-sharing app, was launched and quickly acquired by Twitter.
  • Discord, a voice and text chat app, was launched.

2016

  • Yahoo! Messenger stopped its services for Mac, Windows, Solaris, and Linux users, supporting only Android, iOS, and web clients.
  • Time Inc. bought Myspace and its parent company.

2017

  • Instagram Stories surpassed Snapchat in daily active users.
  • ByteDance acquired Musical.ly for $1 billion.
  • Snapchat filed for its IPO.
  • TikTok was launched.

2018

  • Yahoo! Messenger was shut down.
  • Musical.ly shut down and migrated its users to TikTok.
  • IGTV, a standalone video application by Instagram, was launched.

2019

  • Google+ was shut down.

2020

  • Clubhouse, an audio-based social networking app, was launched.

2021

  • Donald Trump was banned from major social media platforms after the Capitol riots.
  • TikTok became the most popular website, surpassing Google.

2022

  • Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion.
  • BeReal, an authentic social media app, gained popularity among Gen Z.
Social Media Users 2024 (Global Data & Statistics) | Priori Data (2024)
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