In this piece, we’re diving into the fascinating world of social media through a rundown of 60 thought-provoking stats. These nuggets of information cover the works—from user growth and platform use to trend spotting, the impact they have on our daily lives, and the future outlook. Whether you’re scrolling for fun, running a business, or strategizing your next marketing campaign, these insights can help you get a solid grasp on the mighty social media landscape we’re all part of today.
Let’s get the 411 on social media’s big picture. As of January 2024, over 5 billion folks around the globe are on social networks. That’s a whopping 62.3% of all the people on the planet! We’ve welcomed 266 million newbies to social media in just one year. That’s like 8.4 people hitting ‘Sign Up’ every second. And get this: almost all internet users—94.2% of them—are on social media.
Now, hold onto your hats for this daily dose of info: we spend an average of 143 minutes a day on social media. And while we’ve shaved off a few minutes—4 to be exact—the growth is still on fire with that same 94.2% of internet users logging in regularly. Gender-wise, it’s neck and neck between the guys and gals.
When we break it down by platform, YouTube and WhatsApp are crushing it, reaching 2.491 billion and 2 billion users monthly. Instagram’s right up there too, and TikTok? It’s bustling with 1.562 billion people potentially watching ads every month. Other hotspots include WeChat with 1.336 billion users, Facebook Messenger reaching out to 979 million folks, and Telegram connecting with 800 million users worldwide.
But wait, there’s more! When we zoom in on where folks are using social media, it’s a mixed bag. While 74% of Eastern Asia is surfing the social waves, North America is hovering at 71%, Southern America at 66%, and Northern and Western Europe are both hitting between 80-82%. However, there’s less action in Southern Asia at 32%, Western Africa at 16%, and Middle Africa at just 10%. Despite this, over three-quarters of the world’s population aged 13 and over are sharing, liking, and posting away.
Speaking of where social media stands, it’s no surprise Facebook still reigns supreme with nearly 3 billion monthly active users. The underdog of them all? North Korea, with a 0% social media penetration.
While platforms like WeChat and Douyin are making waves in China, they’re part of a wider story that includes how people use social media—to connect with loved ones, kill time, or catch up on current events.
If we talk numbers, the average Joe or Jane juggles around 6.6 social platforms daily. But let’s talk heavyweights—China is the big kahuna with 1.02 billion users, followed by India and the USA. Millennials and their younger pals, Gen Z, are on about 8.5 platforms each.
Now, how about where people spend their online hours? Well, folks in South America and Africa are clocking in over 3 hours of social time each day, while Europeans and North Americans are spending a bit less than 2 hours. Apparently, 9 in the morning is when most people are checking out their feeds.
Content-wise, short-form videos are the new big thing, thanks to the TikTok boom. We’re also tuning in to audio chats and live rooms, with people eying brands that match their values over traditional image-based posts.
When it comes to the devices we’re using, a massive 98.3% of us are scrolling through these platforms on our mobiles.
And, oh boy, the platforms themselves are a mixed bag. Facebook is still king, YouTube’s nipping at its heels, and WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok are all part of the billion user club.
Emerging platforms? Threads made a bang in 2023, Clubhouse is making waves with its 28 million downloads, and Spotify’s Anchor app is making podcasting a piece of cake. Patreon is creating a new economy for creators, while Mastodon is picking up pace as an open-source alternative.
Looking ahead, businesses are set to drop a serious dime on social media ads—over $82 billion by 2025. Plus, we’re on the lookout for new user trends, with the next big things being bite-sized content, advanced AR/VR and AI integration, which suggests our social feeds are about to get a whole lot more interesting.
Lastly, got questions about social media stats? You can find the freshest facts in industry reports, digital marketing studies, or straight from the networks themselves. Whether it’s Snapchat or LinkedIn, the stats you need are
