Social media usage is one of the most popular online activities. In 2024, over five billion people were using social media worldwide, a number projected to increase to over six billion in 2028.
Who uses social media?
Social networking is one of the most popular digital activities worldwide and it is no surprise that social networking penetration across all regions is constantly increasing. As of January 2023, the global social media usage rate stood at 59 percent. This figure is anticipated to grow as lesser developed digital markets catch up with other regions when it comes to infrastructure development and the availability of cheap mobile devices. In fact, most of social media’s global growth is driven by the increasing usage of mobile devices. Mobile-first market Eastern Asia topped the global ranking of mobile social networking penetration, followed by established digital powerhouses such as the Americas and Northern Europe.
Market leader Facebook was the first social network to surpass one billion registered accounts and currently boasts approximately 2.9 billion monthly active users, making it the most popular social network worldwide. In June 2023, the top social media apps in the Apple App Store included mobile messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram Messenger, as well as the ever-popular app version of Facebook.
Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2028
(in billions)
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Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2028
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Statista. (May 17, 2024). Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2028 (in billions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/
Statista. "Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2028 (in billions)." Chart. May 17, 2024. Statista. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/
Statista. (2024). Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2028 (in billions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 21, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/
Statista. "Number of Social Media Users Worldwide from 2017 to 2028 (in Billions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 17 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/
Statista, Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2028 (in billions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/ (last visited January 21, 2025)
Number of social media users worldwide from 2017 to 2028 (in billions) [Graph], Statista, May 17, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/
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