Introduction
Facebook has transformed how the world connects and shares online. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and fellow Harvard students, it started as a social network for college students before exploding in popularity.
From its humble dorm room beginnings, Facebook rapidly rose to become the quintessential social media platform, amassing billions of users across the globe and evolved into a tech giant that has reshaped online communication, marketing, and society itself.
At its core is the ability to build networks of friends and interests – but just how many people use Facebook today?
How Many Facebook Users Are There?
According to data from Meta’s Investor Relations and Statista, Facebook has an impressive user base. As of the latest figures:
- Facebook has 3.05 billion monthly active users globally, with projections indicating it will reach 3.07 billion by Q1 2024.
- 2.064 billion users access the platform daily, accounting for a staggering 68.11% of its monthly active user count.
- In the United States alone, Facebook has 243.5 million users, representing approximately 73% of the country’s total population.
But Facebook didn’t get to 3 billion overnight.
How many users did they have at the start?
Well in 2004, “TheFacebook” (as they called it back then) had about 1 million users.
And the numbers just kept growing exponentially.
According to Statista, here are the monthly active Facebook users worldwide that spans the last decade and a half.
| Year | Global Users | US & Canada Users |
| 2004 | 1 million | N/A |
| 2005 | 5.5 million | N/A |
| 2006 | 12 million | N/A |
| 2007 | 100 million | N/A |
| 2008 | 197 million | N/A |
| 2009 | 360 million | N/A |
| 2010 | 608 million | 154 million |
| 2011 | 845 million | 179 million |
| 2012 | 1.06 billion | 193 million |
| 2013 | 1.23 billion | 201 million |
| 2014 | 1.40 billion | 206 million |
| 2015 | 1.59 billion | 219 million |
| 2016 | 1.86 billion | 231 million |
| 2017 | 2.13 billion | 239 million |
| 2018 | 2.32 billion | 242 million |
| 2019 | 2.50 billion | 248 million |
| 2020 | 2.80 billion | 258 million |
| 2021 | 2.91 billion | 262 million |
| 2022 | 2.96 billion | 266 million |
| 2023 | 3.05 billion | 271 million |
| 2024 | 3.07 billion | N/A |
What Regions Is Facebook Most Popular In?
The Asia-Pacific region leads with 1.36 billion users, Europe follows with 408 million users, the combined users from the US and Canada is equal to around to 271 million users, and the rest of the world has 1.01 billion users.
The table presents the distribution of Facebook’s monthly active users by world region.
| World Region | Facebook Users | Percentage Of Users (Rounded) |
| Asia Pacific | 1.36 billion | 45% |
| Europe | 408 million | 13% |
| US & Canada | 272 million | 9% |
| Rest Of The World | 1.01 billion | 33% |
Okay, so what does this mean? Why does it matter where Facebook users are from?
The data shows that Facebook has a vast, globally dispersed user base, with the Asia-Pacific region being the largest market.
This means that Facebook’s reach extends across different cultures and economies. Both of which are essential for businesses looking to advertise on the platform.
For policymakers and researchers, understanding this spread can help address issues like digital literacy, privacy, and the impact of social media on society.
Top 10 Countries Facebook Is Most Popular In
Curious about where Facebook is most popular?
Here’s a glimpse into the top 10 countries where Facebook has the largest number of users.
| Rank | Country | Facebook Users | Total Population | % Of Population With A Facebook |
| 1 | India | 417 million | 1.408 billion | 29.62% |
| 2 | United States | 244 million | 331.9 million | 73.52% |
| 3 | Brazil | 139 million | 214.3 million | 64.86% |
| 4 | Indonesia | 135 million | 273.8 million | 49.31% |
| 5 | Mexico | 93 million | 126.7 million | 73.40% |
| 6 | Philippines | 91 million | 113.9 million | 79.89% |
| 7 | Vietnam | 76 million | 97.47 million | 77.97% |
| 8 | Thailand | 59 million | 71.6 million | 82.40% |
| 9 | Japan | 56 million | 125.7 million | 44.55% |
| 10 | Pakistan | 49 million | 231.4 million | 21.18% |
The percentages reflect the deep integration of Facebook into the daily lives of people in these countries.
High percentages, like in Thailand and the Philippines, where more than three-quarters of the population use Facebook, suggest that the platform plays an insanely high role in communication, news distribution, and business.
Why Is China Not in the Top 10? Is Facebook Allowed in China?
China is not in the top 10 because Facebook has been blocked there since 2009 (although, it’s currently available in Hong Kong and Macau).
The Chinese government controls internet content and prefers to promote domestic social networks, leading to the development of local platforms like WeChat and Weibo.
Oh, and of course: TIKTOK!
While some users use a VPN (a virtual private network that encrypts your online traffic) to get around the censorship, the major of Chinese people do not.
Final Thoughts
Facebook’s user base continues to grow and will continue to grow for many years to come. With over 3 billion monthly active users and a significant daily engagement rate, Facebook remains a powerful platform for connections, communication, and business opportunities worldwide.
