How Many People Are Using Social Media?
As of December 2024, Social media usage has reached a staggering 5.170.000.000 people globally, with an additional 266.000.000 new users joining within the past year.
Showcasing its widespread appeal and influence, social media is now used by over 5.17 billion people, representing 62.3% of the global population.
The article will give you the essential facts and statistics you should know about social media in 2024.
Top Picks: Key Social Media Statistics for 2024
For a quick overview of the digital landscape in 2024, here are the 10 most crucial social media statistics:
- Global Social Media Users: 5.17 billion people are using social media worldwide, which is 62.3% of the global population.
- Annual User Growth: There has been an addition of 266 million new social media users in the past year alone.
- US Social Media Adoption: In the United States, 72.5% of the population, or 246 million people, are active on social media platforms.
- Average Platforms Used: The average person now accesses 6.7 social media platforms monthly.
- Social Media for Business: Globally, 37.6% of internet users use social media for work, with the US at 28.7%.
- Gender Dynamics: On a global scale, social media users are 53.6% male and 46.4% female.
- Top Platform by Users: Facebook remains the most popular platform with 3.03 billion monthly active users globally.
- Daily Usage Time: The average time spent on social media per day is 2 hours 24 minutes globally.
- Mobile Dominance: A staggering 99% of social media users access platforms on a mobile device.
- Country-Specific Penetration: The UK leads with an 84.4% social media penetration rate, while India shows a 32.8% rate.
What is Social Media?
Social media is an online platform that allows users to create, share, and interact with content, fostering global connections and facilitating the exchange of information.
It has become an integral part of modern communication, with popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn offering diverse features for users to engage with
The History of Social Media
This timeline highlights key social media platforms that have shaped online communication and media consumption:
1997: SixDegrees
SixDegrees, named after the six degrees of separation concept, was one of the earliest social media platforms. It allowed users to create profiles and friend lists, and to send messages.
2002: Friendster
Friendster was launched as a social gaming site but quickly became a social networking platform. It introduced features that influenced future platforms, like connecting with friends and profile customization.
2003: LinkedIn
LinkedIn started as a professional networking site and has remained a staple for career-minded individuals and B2B connections. It allows users to showcase their professional experience and network with others in their industry.
2003: Myspace
Myspace quickly became the most popular social media platform, especially among musicians and creative artists. It allowed for a high level of personalization and became a cultural phenomenon in the mid-2000s.
2004: Facebook
Facebook began as a Harvard-only social network before expanding to other universities and eventually the public. It has since become one of the largest social media platforms in the world, influencing personal and business communications.
2005: YouTube
YouTube revolutionized video sharing by allowing users to upload, share, and view content. It has become the go-to platform for video consumption and a powerful tool for marketers and content creators.
2006: Twitter (Now X)
Twitter introduced a microblogging format with a 140-character limit, fostering real-time news and conversations. It has become a significant platform for public discourse, entertainment, and political communication.
2010: Instagram
Instagram started as a photo-sharing app with a focus on visual content and has since added features like Stories and IGTV. It has become a major platform for influencers, brands, and everyday users.
2011: Snapchat
Snapchat introduced ephemeral messaging with photos and videos that disappear after being viewed. Its Stories feature and AR filters have been widely adopted by other social media platforms.
2011: Google+
Google+ was Google's attempt at a social networking platform, integrating with other Google services. Despite initial interest, it struggled to maintain a user base and was eventually shut down.
2016: TikTok
TikTok, known for its short-form video content, has quickly become one of the fastest-growing social media platforms, especially among younger audiences. It has influenced social media trends and content creation.
Social Media User Statistics
Social media's reach extending to a significant portion of the global population. Lets look into the statistics that showcase the extent of social media usage:
Global Social Media Reach
- 62.3% of the global population uses social media.
- 93.5% of internet users and 88.4% of mobile phone users are active on social media platforms.
- There are 5.04 billion social media users globally.
- 80.8% of adults over 18 are active on social media.
Average Social Media Platforms Used
- The average person accesses 6.7 social media platforms monthly.
- Young adults aged 16-24 use 7.5 platforms on average.
Social Media for Business Use
Social media is not just for personal use; it's increasingly utilized for professional purposes worldwide. Here's how different countries stack up in terms of social media use for work:
- Globally, 37.6% of internet users utilize social media for work.
- In the U.S., 28.7% of people use social media professionally.
National Averages for Social Media Use in Business
When it comes to using social media for work purposes, the percentage of people varies across different countries. Here are the national averages for the percentage of people using social media for work in select countries:
Gender Dynamics in Social Media Usage
Exploring the gender dynamics in social media reveals intriguing patterns and preferences. Below is a detailed breakdown of gender distribution across regions and platforms:
Global Gender Distribution on Social Networks
- 53.6% males
- 46.4% females
Regional Gender Usage Patterns in Social Media
Gender Preferences Across Social Media Platforms
Source: Datareportal
The table showcases the varying gender preferences across major social networks in the U.S., with platforms like Pinterest showing a strong female user base, possibly due to its focus on visual content and topics that traditionally interest women.
Conversely, LinkedIn and Twitter have a higher male presence, which may be attributed to their professional networking and information-sharing nature. These trends are valuable for advertisers and content creators to consider when targeting their messages.
Eight-Year Social Media User Growth
Social Media Penetration by Country
Social media has become a ubiquitous part of daily life across the globe, with varying levels of penetration in different countries. Here's a snapshot of social media usage by nation:
Social Media in the United States
In the United States, social media has permeated the fabric of society, with 72.5% of the population, amounting to 246 million users, actively engaging on various platforms.
Demographics of US Social Media Users By Gender and Ethnicity
Age Distribution of US Social Media Users
Source: Pewresearch
Leading Social Media Platforms
The digital realm is ruled by a few key players, with Facebook at the forefront, boasting billions of users around the world.
Top 15 Social Media Platforms by Global User Base
YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram trail closely behind Facebook, each with a user count in the billions, while other platforms also show impressive figures:
- Facebook: 3,030,000,000 global monthly active users
- YouTube: 2,491,000,000 global monthly active users
- WhatsApp: 2,000,000,000 global monthly active users
- Instagram: 2,000,000,000 global monthly active users
- WeChat: 1,327,000,000 global monthly active users
- TikTok: 1,218,000,000 global monthly active users
- FB Messenger: 1,036,000,000 global monthly active users
- Telegram: 800,000,000 global monthly active users
- Snapchat: 750,000,000 global monthly active users
- Douyin: 743,000,000 global monthly active users
- Kuaishou: 673,000,000 global monthly active users
- X (Twitter): 666,000,000 global monthly active users
- Sina Weibo: 599,000,000 global monthly active users
- QQ: 571,000,000 global monthly active users
- Pinterest: 465,000,000 global monthly active usersSource: Statista
Monthly Active Users in the US by Social Network
Source: Insiderintelligence
Daily Social Media Usage Time
On a global scale, individuals allocate a considerable chunk of their day to social media, with the average daily time exceeding two hours.
Vital Time Usage Statistics
From a global perspective, the average duration spent on social media varies, with some countries logging in more hours than others.
Social Media Daily Engagement by Country
The following table provides a glimpse into the daily social media usage across a selection of countries, offering a perspective on global digital habits.
Trends in Daily Social Media Time
The following graph charts the evolution of time spent on social media, showcasing incremental changes over the past quarters.
Source: Datareportal
Social Media Site Visit Frequency in the US
The pattern of social media visits by Americans shows a strong daily presence on most platforms, with Twitter being the exception.
Visit Patterns to Social Media Platforms
The data below reveals how frequently Americans log onto their favorite social media sites, with a clear preference for daily visits.
Device Preference for Social Media
Mobile vs. Desktop Social Media Access
The trend is clear: mobile reigns supreme in the realm of social media, with a vast majority of users accessing platforms through handheld devices.
Internet Access: Mobile vs. Tablet Market Share
The current statistics on device usage for internet access show a strong leaning towards mobile, emphasizing the mobile-centric nature of social media.
Sources: Statcounter
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