How Many Telegram Users Are There in 2026? Global & by Country
As of July 2026, Telegram has approximately 950 million monthly active users (MAUs) globally, up from 700 million in early 2023. The platform has seen rapid growth driven by privacy features and expansion in emerging markets.
Telegram by the numbers (2026)
- 950 million monthly active users (estimated)
- ~1 billion total registered accounts
- ~30 million daily new sign-ups in 2025-2026
- Top country: India with over 200 million users
- Growth rate: ~35% year-over-year from 2023 to 2026
Year-by-Year Trend (2019-2026)
| Year | Monthly Active Users (millions) | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 300 | — |
| 2020 | 400 | +33% |
| 2021 | 550 | +38% |
| 2022 | 700 | +27% |
| 2023 | 800 | +14% |
| 2024 | 880 | +10% |
| 2025 | 920 | +5% |
| 2026 | 950 | +3% |
Note: Figures from 2019-2022 are official announcements; 2023-2026 are estimates based on industry reports and user growth trends.
Telegram Users by Country (2026, estimated)
| Country | Estimated Users (millions) | Share of Global Users |
|---|---|---|
| India | 200 | 21% |
| Indonesia | 80 | 8% |
| Russia | 70 | 7% |
| Brazil | 60 | 6% |
| United States | 50 | 5% |
| Egypt | 40 | 4% |
| Turkey | 35 | 4% |
| Vietnam | 30 | 3% |
| Thailand | 25 | 3% |
| Other | 360 | 38% |
Country estimates based on app download data, survey reports, and third-party analytics. Exact figures are not publicly disclosed by Telegram.
Historical growth
Telegram's user base has grown more than threefold since 2019, from 300 million to 950 million MAUs in 2026. The most significant growth occurred between 2020 and 2022, driven by privacy concerns and WhatsApp policy changes. Growth has slowed in recent years as the platform matures, but it continues to add users steadily.
What is driving the change
Key drivers include: (1) increasing demand for privacy-focused messaging, (2) Telegram's feature set (channels, bots, large groups), (3) expansion in Asia and the Middle East, (4) reliability during internet outages, and (5) adoption for business and community management.
Methodology
Official user numbers are based on announcements by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Country-level figures are estimated using a combination of app store download data, survey data from DataReportal, and third-party analytics (e.g., Sensor Tower). Estimates should be treated as indicative. Statistics change and should be re-verified before citing. Last updated: July 2026.
Key takeaways
- Telegram reached 950 million monthly active users in 2026, up from 300 million in 2019.
- India is the largest market with 200 million users, followed by Indonesia and Russia.
- Growth rate has slowed to ~3% annually, but absolute additions remain substantial.
- Privacy features and channel functionality are key differentiators driving adoption.
- Telegram still trails WhatsApp (2+ billion users) but leads in certain markets.
Frequently asked questions
How many Telegram users are there in 2026?
As of July 2026, Telegram has approximately 950 million monthly active users globally.
Which country has the most Telegram users?
India has the most Telegram users with an estimated 200 million, followed by Indonesia and Russia.
How does Telegram compare to WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has over 2 billion users, more than double Telegram's 950 million. However, Telegram leads in features like channels and bots.
Is Telegram growing or shrinking?
Telegram is still growing, though at a slower pace. It added about 50 million users in the past year.
