How Many Telegram Users Are There in 2026? Global & by Country
As of mid-2026, Telegram has approximately 900 million monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide, according to estimates based on official announcements and third-party data. This marks a steady increase from 700 million in early 2024 and places Telegram as the third most popular messaging platform after WhatsApp and WeChat.
Telegram by the numbers (2026)
- 900 million estimated monthly active users globally.
- 2.5 billion total app installs (cumulative, across platforms).
- 100 million daily active users in India alone.
- 35% of users are aged 25-34.
- 25 billion messages sent daily.
Year-by-year trend: Telegram monthly active users (2019–2026)
| Year | Monthly Active Users (MAU) | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 300 million | — |
| 2020 | 400 million | +33% |
| 2021 | 500 million | +25% |
| 2022 | 600 million | +20% |
| 2023 | 700 million | +17% |
| 2024 | 800 million | +14% |
| 2025 | 850 million | +6% |
| 2026 (est.) | 900 million | +6% |
Figures for 2019–2024 are based on official announcements from Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. 2025–2026 are estimates extrapolated from growth trends. All numbers are approximate and may vary.
Telegram users by country (2026 estimates)
| Country | Estimated MAU (millions) | Penetration rate |
|---|---|---|
| India | 200 | 14% |
| Russia | 70 | 48% |
| Indonesia | 60 | 22% |
| Brazil | 50 | 23% |
| United States | 45 | 13% |
| Egypt | 30 | 28% |
| Ukraine | 25 | 58% |
| Turkey | 25 | 29% |
| Iran | 20 | 23% |
| Germany | 18 | 22% |
Country-level figures are estimates based on data from DataReportal, App Annie, and industry reports. Penetration rate refers to percentage of internet users. Official country breakdowns are not published by Telegram.
Historical growth
Telegram launched in 2013 and reached 100 million MAUs by February 2016. Growth accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as users sought secure communication. In 2021, a major outage of Facebook-owned services (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook) drove a surge of new users, pushing Telegram from 500 million to 600 million within months. Since then, growth has continued at a slower but steady pace, averaging about 50 million new users per year. The platform's focus on privacy, channels, and bots has helped it retain and attract users, especially in markets where WhatsApp is dominant but perceived as less private.
What is driving the change
Several factors contribute to Telegram's growth:
- Privacy concerns: Telegram's end-to-end encryption (in secret chats) and self-destructing messages appeal to privacy-conscious users. WhatsApp's privacy policy changes in 2021 drove millions to Telegram.
- Channel and bot ecosystem: Telegram channels allow one-to-many broadcasting, popular for news, entertainment, and communities. Bots provide automation, games, and services.
- Regional strength: Telegram is particularly strong in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. In Russia and Ukraine, it is a primary communication platform.
- Feature updates: Premium subscription (launched 2022), video calls, stories, and improved group features keep the platform competitive.
- Monetization without ads: Telegram has avoided intrusive advertising, relying on premium subscriptions and voluntary donations, which maintains user trust.
Methodology
Telegram does not publish detailed user statistics regularly. The 900 million figure for 2026 is an estimate based on CEO Pavel Durov's announcement of 800 million MAUs in March 2024, extrapolated using a conservative growth rate of ~6% per year. Country-level figures are derived from third-party surveys and app intelligence platforms (DataReportal, Sensor Tower) and should be considered approximations. Official figures may differ.
Last updated: July 2026. Statistics change frequently; verify before citing.
Key takeaways
- Telegram reached an estimated 900 million monthly active users in 2026, up from 300 million in 2019.
- India is the largest market with about 200 million users, followed by Russia and Indonesia.
- Growth has slowed to around 6% annually but remains positive due to privacy features and regional strength.
- Telegram is the third most popular messaging app globally, behind WhatsApp (2+ billion) and WeChat (1.3 billion).
Frequently asked questions
How many Telegram users are there in 2026?
Telegram has an estimated 900 million monthly active users as of mid-2026.
Is Telegram bigger than WhatsApp?
No, WhatsApp has over 2 billion users worldwide, more than double Telegram's user base.
Which country has the most Telegram users?
India leads with approximately 200 million estimated users.
How many Telegram users are there in the US?
Approximately 45 million estimated monthly active users in the United States.
How accurate are Telegram user numbers?
Official figures are rarely published. The 900 million estimate is based on extrapolation from past announcements and third-party data.
