Instagram is the third most popular social media platform worldwide, with 3 billion monthly active users and over 500 million daily active users.
On average, users spend over 33 minutes on the platform. The majority of users are Gen Z and millennials.
Let’s take a detailed look at the number of Instagram users, demographics, and more in this post.
Top Instagram Users Statistics 2026
- Instagram has 3 billion monthly active users (MAU) and 500 million daily active users (DAU).
- With 413.8 million users, India has the highest number of Instagram users worldwide.
- 49.4% of Instagram users worldwide are female, while 50.6% are male.
- The majority of Instagram users worldwide (62.3%) are between 18 and 34 years old.
- The United States has 171.7 million Instagram users.
- Most Instagram users in the United States (54.8% ) are between 18 and 34 years old.
- 55.4% of Instagram users in the United States are women, while 44.6% are men.
How Many People Use Instagram?
Meta’s FoA (Family of Apps) collectively has 3.58 billion daily active users, which is 7% YoY increase. The apps include Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads. (Source: Meta)
Instagram has over 3 billion monthly active users, making up nearly 50% of the world’s internet users. Instagram continues to grow, adding new features and enhancing user experience.
Instagram surpassed 2 billion users in 2021, and this number has been increasing steadily since then.
Note: These numbers are estimated according to external sources, as Meta does not provide any official data.
The following table displays the number of Instagram users by year:
| Year | Instagram Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 billion |
| 2024 | 2.4 billion |
| 2023 | 2.4 billion |
| 2022 | 2.3 billion |
| 2021 | 2 billion |
| 2020 | 1.3 billion |
| 2019 | 1.1 billion |
| 2018 | 1 billion |
| 2017 | 700 million |
| 2016 | 500 million |
| 2015 | 370 million |
| 2014 | 200 million |
| 2013 | 110 million |
Source: BusinessOfApps, Statista, Data Reportal.
Instagram Daily Active Users
Instagram has more than 500 million active users worldwide every day.
The majority of these users are active on Instagram to share their photos and videos.
Additional Insights On Instagram Monthly Active Users
- Instagram is used by 38.68% of social media users.
- 36.7% of the world’s 5.45 billion internet users access Instagram monthly.
- Instagram had 30 million monthly active users when Facebook (META) bought the social network for $1 billion.
Sources: Facebook, Statista, Mention, Worldometers, WordPopulationReview, Statista, Statista
Instagram MAUs As It Happened Over The Years
- It took 2.5 months for Instagram to reach the 1 million user mark. This was in 2010.
- Instagram reached 10 million MAUs in 2011.
- In February 2011, with the help of investors, Instagram’s value reached $25 million.
- Instagram reached 100 million monthly active users in February 2013.
- 500 million MAUs used Instagram in June 2016.
- In June 2018, Instagram reached 1 billion monthly active users.
Instagram Users By Country
With 413.85 million users, India has the highest number of Instagram users worldwide.
The United States follows India with an Instagram user count of 171.7 million.
Other countries with the highest number of Instagram users are Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey.
Here is a table displaying the countries with the most Instagram users:
| Countries | Number of Instagram Users |
|---|---|
| India | 413.85 million |
| United States | 171.7 million |
| Brazil | 140.7 million |
| Indonesia | 103.4 million |
| Turkey | 58.45 million |
| Japan | 57.45 million |
| Mexico | 48.75 million |
| United Kingdom | 33.4 million |
| Germany | 31.25 million |
| Argentina | 28.9 million |
Source: Data Reportal, Statista
Instagram User Demographics
Over half of Instagram users worldwide and in the United States are aged between 18 to 34 years.
However, the gender split varies by region. Let’s take a closer look at the demographic breakdown of Instagram users.
Instagram Users Age Demographics
31.3% of Instagram users are aged 18 to 24 years, while 31.0% of Instagram users belong to the age group of 25 to 34 years.
The majority of Instagram users worldwide are aged 18 to 34 years, accounting for 62.3% of the total Instagram users worldwide.
The following table displays the distribution of Instagram users by age.
| Year | Percentage of Instagram Users Worldwide |
|---|---|
| 18 to 24 | 31.7% |
| 25 to 34 | 30.6% |
| 35 to 44 | 16.4% |
| 45 to 54 | 9.0% |
| 55 to 64 | 4.8% |
| 65 years and above | 3.0% |
Source: Data Reportal.
28.3% of Instagram users in the United States are aged 28.3%, while 26.5% are between 18 to 24 years old.
These numbers show that the majority of Instagram users in the United States are also aged between 18 and 34, accounting for 54.8% of the country’s users.
Besides, 19.4% of the users are aged between 35 and 44, while just 5.8% of Instagram users in the United States are aged over 65.
The following table displays the distribution of Instagram users by age group in the United States.
| Age Group | Percentage of Instagram Users in the US |
|---|---|
| 18 to 24 | 26.5% |
| 25 to 34 | 28.3% |
| 35 to 44 | 19.4% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 7.8% |
| 65 years and above | 5.8% |
Source: Statista
Instagram User Gender Demographics
52.5% of the Instagram users are male, while 47.5% are female.
This displays that the ratio of male and female Instagram users worldwide is almost similar.
Here is a table showing the global gender distribution of Instagram users:
| Gender | Share of Users |
|---|---|
| Males | 52.5% |
| Females | 47.5% |
Source: Statista
55% of Instagram users in the United States are women, while 45% are men.
In contrast to the trend observed in global Instagram user gender demographics, the majority of the platform users in the United States are females.
The following table displays the gender distribution of male and female Instagram users in the United States.
| Gender | Share of Instagram Users in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| Women | 55% |
| Men | 45% |
Source: Statista
Check On Instagram Bots And Spam Accounts
- It is reported that Instagram has 95 million bot accounts, implying that 4.75% of its MAUs are false profiles.
- Instagram’s bogus bot accounts cost marketers an estimated $1.3 billion each year in the advertising ecosystem.
- Instagram expects users will need to block 4 million fewer accounts every week since these accounts will now be blocked automatically as per their updated spam policy.4
- Around 15% of an influencer’s followers are fake.
Source: Basic Thinking, Instagram Blog
Instagram And Its Rank Amongst The Social Media Giants
Instagram is the second most popular social media platform worldwide, with 3 billion monthly active users.
Meanwhile, Facebook is the most popular platform worldwide, with 3.07 billion monthly active users.
Instagram’s parent corporation, Meta (Facebook), owns the top 3 social networks (Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram).
The following table displays the top social media networks worldwide by monthly active users.
| Social Media Platform | Active Users |
|---|---|
| 3.07 billion | |
| 3 billion | |
| 3 billion | |
| YouTube | 2.58 billion |
| TikTok | 1.99 billion |
| 1.41 billion | |
| Telegram | 1 billion |
| FB Messenger | 942 million |
| Snapchat | 932 million |
| 765 million | |
| Douyin | 728 million |
| Kuaishou | 715 million |
| 588 million | |
| 578 million | |
| X/Twitter | 557 million |
Source: Data Reportal, Statista
Instagram Stories Statistics
Instagram launched the stories feature on August 2nd, 2016, a direct challenge to rival Snapchat. It provides users with video and photo sequences that disappear 24 hours after posting. Just a couple of months after releasing the feature, 100 million users started interacting with it daily.
- 7 out of 10 people on Instagram check out stories daily, and nearly 9 in 10 Instagram users post stories daily.
- 62% of people are more interested in a brand after viewing it on Instagram Stories.
- The most popular Giphy in Instagram Stories is the “heart love sticker.”
- On average, brands publish 10 stories every month.
- The most active brands post 17 Stories per month.
Instagram Reel Statistics
Instagram Reels are the direct answer to TikTok. Instagram reels have gained immense popularity ever since their launch in 2020.
Here are some more facts and figures associated with this cool feature:
- Reels account for half of the time spent on Instagram.
- Ads on reels have a 60-second limit.
- Reels have a 22% higher chance of engaging users on Instagram compared to a standard video post.
- The average reach rate of Instagram reels is 30.81%.
- Over 1 in 2 marketers use Instagram Reels for influencer marketing.
- The average reach of Instagram reels declined from 95,600 followers to 47,851 followers for the users who have 50k-45 million followers.
Do you know that each day, more than 200 billion Reels are viewed across Instagram and Facebook? Check how many reels there are on Instagram with our detailed guide.
The following table displays the Instagram reach of the users by the number of followers.
| Number of Followers | Reached Followers in 2022 | Reached Followers in 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 50k-45m | 95,600 | 47,851 |
| 10k-50k | 16,800 | 6,243 |
| 2k-10k | 3,400 | 1,726 |
| 500-2k | 1,600 | 753 |
| Up to 500 | 1,200 | 288 |
Source: Statista
Instagram Threads Statistics
Threads is an app by Instagram that focuses on discussions rather than visual material. Users can post threads and reply to others. These replies can include text (up to 500 characters), links, photos, and videos. Basically, this is Instagram’s counter to Twitter.
Let us look at some interesting facts and figures associated with the Threads app!
- Currently, Threads has more than 200 million monthly active users and 33 million daily active users.
- Threads became the fastest-growing consumer product ever, acquiring 100 million users in just 5 days.
- Threads acquired 2 million users within the first 2 hours and 10 million users in the first 7 hours of its launch.
- 100+ Million Threads were shared within 24 hours.
- The Threads app is available in 100 countries. However, nations in the European Union are excluded due to Instagram and Threads’ data-sharing policies.
Average Number of Instagram followers
26.43% of Instagram users have less than 1000 followers.
At the same time, 49.94% of Instagram users have 1000 to 10,000 followers.
The following table displays the distribution of Instagram users by the number of followers.
| Number Of Followers | Percentage Of Instagram Users |
|---|---|
| Less than 1,000 | 26.43% |
| 1,000 – 10,000 | 49.94% |
| 10,000 – 50,000 | 15.21% |
| 50,000 – 100,000 | 3.15% |
| 100K- 500K | 3.9% |
| 500K to 1 million | 0.62% |
| More than 1 million | 0.76 % |
Source: Mention
Instagram Influencer Statistics
As a media-sharing platform, Instagram is a prominent participant in the influencer economy, where people partly receive money based on their follower count.
- There are over 500,000 active influencers on Instagram.
- 14.32% of the influencers on Instagram are lifestyle influencers.
- 80.8% of marketers are planning to use Instagram for influencer marketing.
- Influencers are paid based on their follower count, and if it’s full of bots, marketers are the ones losing their money.
- If an influencer has 43,000 followers and consistently posts 8 posts and 8 stories every month, they may expect to make $37,442 per year. That is equal to the typical income of a UK citizen.
- In 2019, bogus bot profiles cost brands $1.3 billion.
- Influencers with fewer than 10k followers get paid around $80-$90/post.
- Influencers with fewer than 100k followers are paid around $200/post
- Influencers with between 250k to 500k followers may expect to earn roughly $670/post
- Influencers with more than 1 million followers will be paid around $1900 for each post.
According to Instagram, 87% of individuals claim an influencer influenced them to purchase. The data also suggests that around 70% of “shopping fanatics” use Instagram to find new products.
Even if users aren’t directly shopping from influencers, their influence undoubtedly maintains Instagram’s status as a shopping destination and social media platform. Picture posts (78%) and stories (73%) are viewed as the most successful kinds of content by people who engage in shopping from influencers.
Sources: Ghostdata, WSJ, Wired, PetalCard
Interesting Read: Explore influencer earnings with our detailed research.
- The top 50 Instagram influencers have almost 7 billion Followers combined.
Most Followed Instagram Users In 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram in 2026, with 672 million followers, accounting for over 31.35% of Instagram’s overall user population.
Leaving aside Instagram’s official profile, which is the most followed handle on the network, the top ranks are dominated by people from the music, sports, and entertainment industries.
Some celebrities on the list, such as Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian, have increased their reputation and money by using Instagram and other social media.
Here is a table displaying the Instagram users with the most followers worldwide.
| Instagram’s Username | Profile Name (Owner) | Instagram Followers | Profession |
|---|---|---|---|
| @cristiano | Cristiano Ronaldo | 672 million | Footballer |
| @leomessi | Lionel Messi | 511 million | Footballer |
| @selenagomez | Selena Gomez | 415 million | Musician, actress, producer, and businesswoman |
| @therock | Dwayne Johnson | 390 million | Actor and professional wrestler |
| @kyliejenner | Kylie Jenner | 390 million | Television personality, model, and businesswoman |
| @arianagrande | Ariana Grande | 371 million | Musician and actress |
| @kimkardashian | Kim Kardashian | 353 million | Television personality, model, and businesswoman |
| @beyonce | Beyoncé | 307 million | Musician, actress, producer, and businesswoman |
| @khloekardashian | Khloé Kardashian | 299 million | Television personality and model |
| @lilbieber | Justin Bieber | 292 million | Musician |
| @Kendalljenner | Kendall Jenner | 284 million | Model and television personality |
| @taylorswift | Taylor Swift | 280 million | Musician |
In India, Virat Kohli is the most-followed person on Instagram with 275 million followers.
Source: BrandWatch, Statista, Instagram.
Top 20 Most Liked Posts On Instagram
Lionel Messi’s post is the most liked post on Instagram with over 74.7 million likes.
Until 20th December 2022, Chris Godfrey’s photo of an egg was the most-liked post on Instagram. Lionel Messi surpassed it with his post at the FIFA World Cup 2022 celebration.
The following table displays the most liked posts on Instagram.
| Rank | Account Owner | Post Description | Number of Likes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Photos of Lionel Messi and his teammates after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina | 74.7 million |
| 2 | Chris Godfrey | Photo of an egg | 60.5 |
| 3 | Lionel Messi | Photos of Lionel Messi in bed with the FIFA World Cup Trophy | 53.7 |
| 4 | Kishore Mondal | Kishore Mondal singing | 50 million |
| 5 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Photo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess, advertising for Louis Vuitton | 41.6 million |
| Lionel Messi | Photo of Lionel Messi on an airplane with the FIFA World Cup Trophy | 41.2million | |
| 7 | Taylor Swift | Travis Kelce proposing Taylor Swift | 36.6 million |
| 8 | xxxtentacion | Last post of xxxtentacion before his death | 34.1 million |
| 9 | Lionel Messi | Celebrating the 2022 FIFA World Cup win in Argentina | 33.6million |
| 10 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Announcement of Cristiano Ronaldo joining Al Nassr FC | 33.3 million |
| 11 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Photo after the 2022 FIFA World Cup elimination | 33.2 million |
| 12 | jiangzhibin24 | Video of sunset | 33.1 million |
| 13 | Cristiano Ronaldo Georgina Rodríguez | Their twin’s pregnancy announcement | 31.6 million |
| 14 | aline_sarakbii | A baby smiling when the blanket was pulled | 31.5 million |
| 15 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Post in remembrance of Pelé | 31.4 million |
The Average Amount Of Time Spent On Instagram Every Day
As per Data Reportal’s global overview report, Instagram users spend an average of 31 minutes and 40 seconds daily on the platform. This translates to 15 hours and 50 minutes every month.
This figure may be further broken down according to users’ age. Instagram users under the age of 25 spend 32 minutes/per day, and users over the age of 25 spend 24 minutes/per day on the platform.
Additional Stats:
- Users of age below 25 spend more than 8 days each year on the network.
- Users of age over 25 spend more than 6 days each year on the network.
- A heavy social media user spends 1 hour and 25 minutes on average each day on the platform.
- An average individual over the age of 18 will spend more than 19 days a year on social media across all platforms.
The introduction of Instagram Stories in 2016, which included features such as Boomerang & GIPHY stickers, has also led to an increase in the amount of time individuals spend on Instagram.
Instagram Statistics For Businesses
90% of Instagrammers follow at least one brand.
Instagram is a place to build brand networks and enhance engagement with existing and potential consumers. Instagram delivers new business features on a regular basis. The platform also has a dedicated Instagram for Business handle to help you get started.
Know all about Instagram for Business by clicking HERE.
- One in every two people has used Instagram to explore new businesses.
It’s a fantastic discovery tool! 50% of consumers use it to find new companies, goods, or services. Furthermore, two-thirds of respondents believe the platform promotes meaningful engagement with businesses.
- Instagram is used by 44% of individuals to purchase on a weekly basis.
The shopping function was introduced recently, but it has already taken the retail industry by storm. According to an official Instagram report, 44 percent of users use the platform to shop on a weekly basis.
- In 2021, Instagram’s ad reach surpassed that of Facebook
Facebook’s worldwide ad. reach expanded by just 6.5%, while Instagram’s increased by a staggering 20.5%. If sponsored reach is a cornerstone of your social media plan. Take your business on the platform ASAP!
Did You Know? 77% of businesses use retargeting on Instagram to regain potential clients.
The Best Time To Post On Instagram (2026)
The best time to post on Instagram varies from day to day. You can check our detailed guide and find the best time to post on Instagram.
Here is a table that shows the best time to post on Instagram each day of the week:
| Day | Ideal Time To Post | Peak Engagement Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6 Am, 10 Am, 10 Pm. | 11 Am to 2 Pm. |
| Tuesday | 2 Am, 4 Am, 9 Am. | 10 Am to 3 Pm. |
| Wednesday | 7 Am, 8 Am, 9 Am. | 11 Am to 1 Pm. |
| Thursday | 7 Am, 8 Am, 11 Pm. | 1 Pm to 3 Pm. |
| Friday | 5 Am, 1 Pm, 3 Pm. | 10 Am to 11 Am. |
| Saturday | 11 Am, 7 Pm, 8 Pm. | 10:00 am |
| Sunday | 7 Am, 8 Am, 4 Pm. | Around Noon. |
One thing to remember is that these times may not work for all. You might want to consider the following factors before deciding your sweet spot for posting:
- Time Zone and Location (of both yours and your audience).
- Primary audience.
- Your CTA.
NOTE: You might want to avoid publishing on Sundays because it has the lowest user involvement of the week.
Sources: SproutSocial, HubSpot
How To Tackle The Issue Of Time Zones
If your followers are from various nations or even the east and west coasts of the United States, this might affect your engagement.
The easiest approach to deal with this is to use Instagram’s insights function, which provides free statistics to all professional account users in the application itself.
To access it,
- Navigate to your profile page and click the menu icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select ‘insight’ from the list.
- Select the ‘audience tab.’
- Scroll down to see the ‘Cities and location’ section.
Conclusion: There are 3 Billion Instagram Users In The World
Instagram has evolved rapidly from a photo-sharing social media platform to one of the most used social media platforms worldwide.
Reels and short-form video content have become increasingly popular on Instagram, accounting for the majority of engagement on the platform.
Additionally, more than 200 million businesses worldwide utilize the platform’s features, as 44% of Instagram users prefer to shop on Instagram weekly.
Currently, Instagram is not just a social media platform but also a business platform for a large number of e-commerce owners.
