How Many YouTube Users Are There in 2026? Global & by Country
As of June 2026, YouTube has approximately 2.7 billion monthly active users worldwide, making it the second most-used social media platform after Facebook. This figure is based on official Alphabet earnings reports and industry estimates from DataReportal and Statista.
YouTube by the numbers (2026)
- 2.7 billion monthly active users (MAUs) globally
- 1.2 billion daily active users (DAUs) estimated
- Over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute
- 1 billion+ hours of video watched daily
- YouTube Shorts averages 50 billion daily views
- Penetration: Approximately 48% of global internet users use YouTube monthly
Year-by-year global YouTube user growth (2019–2026)
| Year | Monthly Active Users (billions) | Year-over-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2.0 | — |
| 2020 | 2.3 | +15% |
| 2021 | 2.5 | +9% |
| 2022 | 2.6 | +4% |
| 2023 | 2.7 | +4% |
| 2024 | 2.7 | +0% |
| 2025 | 2.7 | +0% |
| 2026 (June) | 2.7 | ~0% |
Note: Figures for 2019–2023 are official Alphabet disclosures. 2024–2026 are estimates based on plateauing growth, as Alphabet stopped reporting exact MAUs after 2023. Growth has slowed as the platform approaches saturation in many markets.
YouTube users by country (2026 estimated)
| Country | Estimated YouTube Users (millions) | Penetration (% of population) |
|---|---|---|
| India | 480 | 34% |
| United States | 240 | 72% |
| Indonesia | 180 | 65% |
| Brazil | 150 | 70% |
| Russia | 100 | 69% |
| Japan | 90 | 72% |
| Mexico | 85 | 65% |
| Germany | 75 | 90% |
| Philippines | 70 | 62% |
| Vietnam | 65 | 66% |
| France | 55 | 84% |
| United Kingdom | 55 | 81% |
| Turkey | 50 | 58% |
| Pakistan | 45 | 20% |
| South Korea | 42 | 81% |
| Thailand | 40 | 57% |
| Egypt | 35 | 33% |
| Italy | 35 | 59% |
| Argentina | 30 | 66% |
| Canada | 30 | 78% |
Source: Estimated from DataReportal Digital 2026 reports, national telecom regulators, and company disclosures. Penetration rates are based on total population. Figures are approximate and may vary by source.
Historical growth
YouTube's user base grew rapidly from 1 billion MAUs in 2013 to 2 billion in 2019, driven by mobile adoption in emerging markets and the expansion of YouTube Kids and Music. The pandemic accelerated growth to 2.3 billion in 2020 as people sought entertainment and education at home. Since 2022, growth has plateaued around 2.7 billion, as the platform faces stiff competition from TikTok for short-form video attention and from streaming services for long-form content. The launch of YouTube Shorts in 2021 helped retain users but did not significantly expand the total user base.
What is driving the change
Several factors are influencing YouTube's user growth trajectory: Market saturation in developed countries (e.g., US, Germany, UK) where penetration exceeds 80%. Competition from TikTok has drawn younger audiences away from YouTube's core long-form content, though YouTube Shorts has partially reclaimed that demographic. Rising internet penetration in countries like India, Indonesia, and Nigeria continues to add new users, but at a slower rate as the platform already reaches a large portion of the online population. Regulatory challenges (e.g., data localization in Russia, potential bans in some regions) and ad fatigue may also be curbing growth. Additionally, YouTube's monetization model for creators is facing pressure from alternative platforms, potentially reducing content supply, though the effect on users is unclear.
Methodology
Global MAU figures for 2019–2023 are taken from Alphabet's annual and quarterly earnings reports. For 2024–2026, we rely on estimates from DataReportal, Statista, and internal modeling based on historical growth rates and internet penetration trends. Country-level estimates are derived from DataReportal's Digital 2026 reports, which combine official platform data (where available), survey data, and traffic analytics. Penetration rates are calculated using population figures from the United Nations. All figures are approximate and should be verified with primary sources before citation. Last updated: June 2026.
Key takeaways
- YouTube has 2.7 billion monthly active users globally as of June 2026, making it the second-largest social media platform.
- India leads with 480 million users, followed by the US (240 million) and Indonesia (180 million).
- Growth has plateaued since 2022, with year-over-year increases near 0% as the platform reaches saturation.
- Penetration exceeds 80% in several developed markets (Germany, France, UK, South Korea) but remains below 40% in India and Pakistan.
- YouTube Shorts has helped retain users but has not significantly expanded the total user base against competition from TikTok.
Frequently asked questions
How many YouTube users are there in 2026?
As of June 2026, YouTube has approximately 2.7 billion monthly active users worldwide.
Which country has the most YouTube users?
India has the most YouTube users with an estimated 480 million, followed by the United States with 240 million.
Is YouTube growing or declining?
YouTube's user growth has plateaued since 2022, with MAUs steady at around 2.7 billion. The platform is not declining but is not expanding rapidly either.
How many daily active users does YouTube have?
YouTube does not officially disclose DAUs, but estimates suggest around 1.2 billion daily active users as of 2026.
How does YouTube compare to TikTok in users?
TikTok has about 1.5 billion monthly active users in 2026, significantly fewer than YouTube's 2.7 billion. However, TikTok's growth rate is higher, especially among younger demographics.
What percentage of internet users use YouTube?
Approximately 48% of global internet users use YouTube monthly, but this varies widely by country.
