Social media continues to transform daily life in 2025, connecting billions worldwide and influencing everything from personal relationships to business decisions.
Researchers estimate that 5.66 billion people worldwide maintain active social media identities as of October 2025, representing over two-thirds of the planet’s population and marking a supermajority in which users outnumber non-users two to one.
This surge adds 259 million new identities in the past year alone, averaging more than 700,000 daily newcomers who join platforms for connection, entertainment, news, and commerce.
For anyone seeking to understand how many people use social media 2025, these figures reveal a dynamic landscape ripe with opportunities—businesses reach targeted audiences through ads exceeding $300 billion in spend, creators build communities for income, and individuals stay informed or find inspiration amid evolving trends.
Platforms report growth in monthly active users (MAUs) rather than accounts, providing a clearer picture of engagement.
Social media reaches 94.2% of internet users, with adoption hitting 86.6% among those aged 18+.
People average 6.83 platforms monthly, dispersing attention across apps while spending about 2 hours and 21 minutes daily—equating to 141 minutes globally, though figures dip slightly in mature markets like the US at 2 hours 9 minutes.
Readers benefit by aligning strategies with these habits: marketers target peak times for posts, brands foster loyalty through consistent interaction, and users curate feeds to combat fatigue or misinformation.
The question how many people use social media 2025 drives interest because it highlights untapped potential in emerging regions and shifting demographics.
Growth slows to 4.1-4.8% year-over-year as saturation hits developed areas, yet developing markets fuel expansion via affordable smartphones.
Penetration exceeds 100% in places like the UAE (115%) and Saudi Arabia due to multiple accounts, while global averages sit at 63.9-68.7%.
Businesses capitalize by localizing content, individuals network for opportunities, and creators monetize niche audiences.
Global Social Media User Growth Over Time
Social media adoption explodes from niche beginnings to mainstream dominance. Quarterly data shows steady climbs, with Q2 2025 reaching 5.41 billion users and identities hitting 5.66 billion by October.
| Quarter/Year | Number of Social Media Users (Billions) | Year-over-Year Increase |
| Q2 2025 | 5.41 | ~4.7% |
| Q1 2025 | 5.24 | 0.5% |
| Q4 2024 | 5.22 | 1.0% |
| Q3 2024 | 5.17 | 1.9% |
| Q2 2024 | 5.07 | 0.7% |
| Q1 2024 | 5.04 | 1.7% |
| Q4 2023 | 4.95 | 1.6% |
Source: Statista
This table illustrates consistent gains, empowering long-term planning—invest in platforms early for compounded reach, as the number of people using social media in 2025 surges.
Also read about: Instagram Statistics
Social Media Penetration Rates Worldwide and by Country
Penetration varies dramatically, with Northern Europe leading at 83.6% and global averages around 63.9%. High rates in Asia and the Middle East reflect mobile-first cultures.
| Country/Region | Penetration Rate |
| UAE | 115% |
| Saudi Arabia | 102-96% |
| South Korea | 94-93.4% |
| Northern Europe | 83.6% |
| Western Europe | 78.2-83.3% |
| United States | 73-82.6% |
| Brazil | 67-77.5% |
| India | 33.7-50% |
| Nigeria | 17-41% |
| Global Average | 63.9-68.7% |
Countries exceeding 100% show multi-account trends; target these for high engagement in how many people use social media 2025.
Also read about: X (Twitter) Statistics
Top Countries by Number of Social Media Users
China leads with 1.18 billion users, projected to 1.36 billion by 2030, followed by India surging toward 1.13 billion.
| Country | 2025 Users (Millions) | 2030 Projection (Millions) |
| China | 1,185 | 1,362 |
| India | 874 | 1,127 |
| United States | 313-253 | 329 |
| Indonesia | 203 | 236 |
| Brazil | 160 | 181 |
Source: StatCounter
Leverage these markets for scale—localize campaigns in India for explosive growth.
Most Popular Social Media Platforms by User Numbers
Facebook tops with 3.07-3.15 billion MAUs, followed by YouTube and WhatsApp at 2-3 billion each.
| Platform | Monthly Active Users (Billions) |
| 3.07-3.15 | |
| YouTube | 2.53-2.54 |
| 2-3 | |
| 2-2.4 | |
| TikTok | 1.59-1.94 |
| 1.38-1.4 | |
| Telegram | 950 million-1 billion |
| Snapchat | 850-900 million |
| 606-695 million | |
| X (Twitter) | 561-586 million |
Focus on leaders for broad reach; niche ones like Reddit for communities in how many people use social media 2025.
Average Time Spent on Social Media Daily
Users dedicate 141-143 minutes daily, varying by country—Kenyans top at over 4 hours, Japanese lowest at 46 minutes.
| Country | Daily Minutes |
| Kenya | 253 |
| Brazil | 212 |
| Philippines | 212 |
| Nigeria | 203 |
| US | 129 |
| Japan | 46 |
| Global | 141 |
Balance usage for productivity; brands post during peaks.
Social Media Demographics: Gender, Age, and Regional Splits
Males comprise 54.6% globally, females 45.4%; US more balanced at 50%. Gen Z and Millennials dominate, with 16-24 averaging 7.71 platforms.
North America: 50/50 gender. Younger users skew female on Pinterest (70%).
Reasons People Use Social Media
50.8% connect with family, 39% fill time, 34.5% read news, 30.5% find content.
| Reason | Percentage |
| Keep in touch with friends/family | 50.8% |
| Fill spare time | 39.0% |
| Read news | 34.5% |
| Find content | 30.5% |
| Product purchase | 27.3% |
Align content with motivations for engagement.
Social Media for Business and Work
38.3% use for work globally, highest in Nigeria (65.2%).
Target professionals on LinkedIn; build brands via authentic posts.
Social Media Advertising Statistics
Spend surpasses $300 billion, US leads. 77% marketers use Facebook/Instagram ads.
ROI high—invest for targeted reach.
Fresh Insights from Quora and Reddit
Quora users debate AI’s role, noting over 5 billion users but declining quality from spam; many shift to alternatives yet numbers grow.
Reddit threads complain about fake content, mental health impacts (69% adults affected), and Reddit’s own surge to 850M+ MAU with deeper engagement.
Discussions highlight authenticity cravings, niche communities thriving, and concerns over privacy/tracking pushing DuckDuckGo or Bluesky (26M users).
How to Benefit from Social Media in 2025
Build profiles on 6-7 platforms matching audience. Post consistently, engage authentically. Use ads for precision targeting. Monitor analytics for optimization.
Creators monetize via affiliates; businesses drive sales (80% e-commerce starts here). Balance usage to avoid burnout.
In 2025, over 5.66 billion people—68.7% globally—actively use social media, adding 259 million users yearly through mobile growth and platforms like Facebook (3.07B), YouTube, and TikTok, while spending 141 minutes daily connecting, shopping (27.3% intent), and working amid $300B+ ad spend.
Leverage penetration highs in UAE/Saudi (100%+), target demographics (54.6% male, Gen Z heavy), and combat AI spam complaints on Quora/Reddit with authentic content on rising niches like Reddit (850M MAU) or Bluesky—optimize multi-platform strategies, ads, and analytics to drive traffic, sales, and connections in this supermajority era where users outnumber non-users 2:1.
FAQs About Social Media Statistics
1. How many people use social media worldwide in 2025?
Over 5.66 billion people maintain active social media identities in 2025, equating to 68.7% of the global population and reflecting 259 million new users added in the past year.
2. What is the average daily time spent on social media in 2025?
People worldwide spend an average of 141 minutes—or 2 hours and 21 minutes—daily on social media, with variations like Kenyans exceeding 4 hours and Japanese under 46 minutes.
3. Which platforms have the most users in 2025?
Facebook leads with 3.07-3.15 billion monthly active users, followed closely by YouTube (2.53B), WhatsApp (2-3B), and Instagram (2B+), dominating global engagement.
4. How can businesses benefit from social media usage in 2025?
Businesses reach targeted audiences via $300B+ ad spend on platforms like Facebook/Instagram (77% marketers), driving sales since 27.3% users seek products and 80% e-commerce journeys start here.
5. What trends from Quora and Reddit should users watch in 2025?
Quora and Reddit highlight AI-generated content declining quality and mental health concerns, pushing shifts to authentic niches like Reddit (850M MAU) while overall users grow despite privacy complaints.
Also Read:
- Google Searches Statistics
- LinkedIn Statistics
- Semrush Statistics
- Twitch Revenue And Usage Statistics
- Email Marketing Statistics
Conclusion
In 2025, social media remains a powerful force shaping how people connect, consume, and do business.
With over 5.66 billion active users spending more than two hours daily across multiple platforms, opportunities for engagement, marketing, and growth have never been greater.
From Facebook’s massive reach to rising interest in niche communities, success depends on strategic content, platform diversity, and authentic interaction.
As user behaviors evolve and ad spending surpasses $300 billion, those who adapt quickly and prioritize trust and relevance will lead in this increasingly connected digital world.
