How Many People Use Social Media in 2026 (Global Stats)

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-10-04T00:00:33.985Z • Permanent link

Demandsage.com, a prominent source of social media statistics, has just released its latest report on global social media usage in 2026. According to the report, an estimated 5.8 billion people worldwide will be using social media, representing a staggering 74% of the global population. This number is up from 4.7 billion in 2022, a growth rate of 22.4% over the past four years. The report attributes this increase to the continued rise of mobile internet penetration, particularly in emerging markets such as Africa and Asia.

Demandsage.com's report highlights the growing importance of social media in countries such as India, where over 1.2 billion people are expected to use social media by 2026, accounting for nearly 50% of the country's population. Similarly, in the United States, social media usage is expected to reach 92% of the population by 2026, with platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok driving this growth. Notably, the report also notes that younger generations, such as Gen Z and Millennials, are driving this growth, with 70% of 18-24-year-olds using social media, compared to 55% of 25-34-year-olds.

Demandsage.com's report is significant because it provides a clear picture of the current state of social media usage worldwide. The report is based on data from leading social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, as well as surveys and research studies conducted by reputable firms. The report's findings are likely to be of interest to policymakers, advertisers, and social media companies, who will be looking for insights into the evolving social media landscape.

The implications of social media usage on a global scale are far-reaching and significant. For companies such as Facebook and Google, social media is a critical channel for advertising and revenue generation. According to a recent report by eMarketer, social media advertising is expected to reach $143 billion by 2026, accounting for nearly 20% of total digital advertising spend. This growth is likely to be driven by the increasing importance of social media in the lives of consumers, particularly younger generations.

Research communities are also likely to be impacted by the growing importance of social media. Studies have shown that social media can have significant effects on mental health, with excessive usage linked to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. As a result, researchers are likely to be interested in understanding the ways in which social media is shaping behavior and influencing mental health outcomes. Policymakers, meanwhile, are also likely to be interested in social media's impact on democracy and civic engagement, with concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in institutions.

The growing importance of social media is part of a broader trend towards increased digitalization and the rise of the "Digital Economy". This trend is driven by advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, which are enabling new forms of data collection and analysis. The Digital Economy is also characterized by the emergence of new business models and revenue streams, such as subscription-based services and data-driven advertising. Social media is an important part of this trend, and its growing importance reflects the increasing recognition of its role in shaping behavior and influencing outcomes.