Culture How Many People Are on TikTok?

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Launched by ByteDance in 2016, TikTok has experienced huge growth across the social media landscape, captivating its users with entertaining, funny, heart-warming, creative, and educational short form video content.

Enjoyment of the TikTok app is so widespread, it sometimes seems like everyone’s using TikTok - but how many people actually are on the platform?

We’ll check out the latest TikTok statistics, exploring TikTok’s user base, numbers, demographics, and engagement metrics, so we can all get a better overview of how this game-changing app is reaching its audience.


All About TikTok’s Global Reach​


As of press time, TikTok’s demographics are impressive. TikTok boasts a staggering 1.8 billion monthly active users worldwide.

This figure underscores the platform's rapid ascent, considering it already had well over a billion users in 2023. The consistent upward trajectory of the app highlights TikTok's widespread, growing appeal across a wide range of demographics and countries.


TikTok’s Growth Rate​


TikTok's user base since the platform’s inception has expanded remarkably over the years. In 2020, the platform had approximately 700 million users, which grew to 1 billion by 2021. And it just kept growing - TikTok hit 1.5 billion users in 2023, and 1.8 billion by early 2025.

The growth of the TikTok app can be attributed to TikTok's innovative features; the app’s user friendly interface that makes it easy for creators to produce and upload content; and the global surge in short form video content consumption.


Age Demographics of TikTok Users​


TikTok's user demographics reveal a youthful skew among TikTok users, with 38.5% of users aged between 18 to 24 years. The 25 to 34 age group comprises approximately 28%, while users in the 35 and above age group account for about 19%.

This distribution confirms the TikTok app’s strong appeal to younger audiences, although its appeal to older demographics is also gradually increasing.


Gender Distribution of TikTok Users​


In terms of gender distribution (as of 2025), 44.3% of TikTok users identify as female, while 55.7% of TikTok users identify as male.

This relatively balanced ratio showcases TikTok's broad appeal across genders, fostering a diverse and inclusive community on the app.


Countries With the Most TikTok Users​


TikTok's global reach extends to numerous countries, with the U.S. taking over as the largest TikTok audience (over 135 million users, via Statista.) Indonesia is next in terms of active users, followed closely by Brazil.

The platform's popularity in these diverse regions highlights its ability to adapt its content to different cultural preferences and viewer habits.

In addition to these countries, TikTok’s sister app Douyin (also owned by ByteDance) should also be considered; Douyin is a dominant app in China, where it has millions of active users.

Douyin may have different regulations and features compared to the TikTok app, but it shares the same foundational short form video format.


TikTok’s Usage and Engagement Stats​


How much time do users spend on TikTok?


On average, TikTok users spend around 58 minutes per day on the app (via ExplodingTopics.) This high engagement level surpasses that of many other social media platforms, indicating TikTok's compelling content and its ability to retain users.

lThe time people spend on TikTok has increased over the past several years, has actually doubled since 2019, and shows no sign of slowing down yet!


How often do TikTok users open the TikTok app?​


Frequent interaction with TikTok is a hallmark of the app; the average U.S. user opens TikTok 8 times per day (via SearchLogistics.)

This habitual usage pattern underscores the platform's appealing nature and its integral role as an entertaining force in users' daily routines.


How does TikTok compare to other social media platforms?​


TikTok ranks as the fifth most popular social media platform (via PewResearch.) Its rapid growth has positioned it well ahead of platforms like Snapchat and the beleaguered Twitter (X.)

It’s still working on catching up to giants like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, but keep in mind that those platforms have been around for a lot longer (TikTok was founded in 2016; Instagram 2010; Facebook 2004; and YouTube 2005.)


What are the most popular content types and trends on TikTok?​


The TikTok app offers a huge range of content, with trends cycling in and out of the app rapidly. Some of the most popular content types on TikTok include dance challenges, lip sync videos, music performances, comedy skits, and educational clips.

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You can check out what kind of content is currently trending on TikTok’s own Trend Discovery charts, which include popular hashtags like these.

The platform's algorithm regularly promotes viral trends, which encourages creators to participate in global challenges and keeps TikTok’s dynamic content ecosystem constantly moving.

More Questions Answered: The TikTok Creator Economy​

How many influencers are on TikTok?​


TikTok's creator community is definitely going strong. It’s estimated that there are over 1 million influencers actively producing content on the platform, with over 100,000 of them actually using TikTok as their primary job.

These creators range from new TikTok creators and micro-influencers to mega-stars, each contributing to the platform's rich tapestry of content and even influencing trends and user behaviors.


Who are the most followed TikTok creators?

As of 2025, the most followed TikTok creator on the TikTok app is Senegalese-Italian influencer and humorist Khaby Lame, boasting over 162 million followers; Lame is followed on TikTok’s top ten list by Charli D’Amelio, Mr. Beast, and Bella Poarch, in that order.

Other notable creators include Zach King, Dixie D’Amelio (sister to Charli), JamesCharles, and HappyKelli, each amassing millions of followers and contributing their unique content to TikTok’s creator landscape.


How successful is TikTok Shop?​


Creators utilize TikTok Shop to monetize their content, integrating product promotions into their videos and offering a unique shopping experience to TikTok users.

TikTok's foray into ecommerce through TikTok Shop has definitely been successful - in 2024, the platform's GMV (gross merchandise volume) reached $33.2 billion, reflecting TikTok’s major influence on online and socials shopping.


How does TikTok’s algorithm help creators grow?​


TikTok's sophisticated algorithm is pivotal for content discovery and creator growth on the app.

By analyzing TikTok user interactions, choices, and behaviors, the algorithm curates personalized content feeds for viewers, increasing the visibility of creators' videos. This system offers even new creators the potential for viral success.


A Look at TikTok’s Marketing and Ad Stats​

TikTok Ad Revenue​


TikTok's advertising revenue has rapidly grown, with global figures reaching $23.6 billion in 2024; this upward trend projected to continue, with TikTok ad revenue set to hit over $33 billion in 2025, which would be a 40.5% increase (stats from Oberlo.) TikTok's top advertisers are primarily in technology, cosmetics, and clothing, showcasing the platform’s significant commercial impact in “everyday” markets.


TikTok’s Engagement Rates​


To measure success, brands typically track metrics such as engagement rate, click through rate (CTR), and conversion rates. On average, TikTok boasts an engagement rate of around 2.5% (via Statista and additional sources), which is significantly higher than many other platforms.

TikTok's algorithm allows brands to reach targeted audiences, making TikTok an effective platform for even small or new creators looking to grow.


Wrapping Up: 5 Quick Facts About TikTok​


1. TikTok has over 1.8 billion monthly active users globally as of 2025, making it one of the largest social media platforms in the world.

2. The platform’s average engagement rate is over 2.5%, one of the highest among all social media platforms.

3. Popular content on the TikTok app includes dance challenges, lip sync videos, music performances, educational content, memes, and skits.

4. TikTok Shop generated over $33 billion in gross merchandise volume in 2024, highlighting its success in ecommerce.

5. Over 1 million creators posting content on TikTok, making it a hub for influencers and marketers.
 
1.8 billion? Doesn’t half the planet not have running water? I just don’t believe it is that high
There are humans who exist at this very moment staring at the screen of their phone in mud huts. It's actually crazy to think about how widespread phone use is.
 
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