How Many YouTube Users Are There in 2026? Global & by Country
As of July 2026, YouTube has approximately 2.7 billion monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide, making it the second-largest social media platform by active user base after Facebook. This figure represents over one-third of the global population, with the platform continuing to grow steadily across emerging markets.
YouTube by the Numbers (2026)
- 2.7 billion monthly active users (estimated, July 2026)
- 500+ hours of video uploaded every minute
- 1 billion+ hours of video watched daily
- Top country: India with ~500 million users
- Second-largest search engine after Google
- Available in over 100 languages and 200+ countries
Year-by-Year Trend: YouTube Monthly Active Users (2019–2026)
| Year | Monthly Active Users (billions) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2.0 | Official (Google) |
| 2020 | 2.3 | Official (Google) |
| 2021 | 2.5 | Official (Google) |
| 2022 | 2.6 | Official (Google) |
| 2023 | 2.7 | Estimated (industry) |
| 2024 | 2.7–2.8 | Estimated (industry) |
| 2025 | 2.8 | Estimated (industry) |
| 2026 | 2.7–2.8 | Estimated (industry) |
Note: YouTube stopped reporting exact MAU figures after 2022. Figures from 2023 onward are estimates based on third-party reports and user surveys. Last updated: July 2026. Statistics change and should be re-verified before citing.
YouTube Users by Country (2026 Estimates)
| Country | Estimated Users (millions) | % of Population |
|---|---|---|
| India | 500 | 35% |
| United States | 270 | 80% |
| Brazil | 150 | 70% |
| Indonesia | 140 | 50% |
| Japan | 100 | 80% |
| Russia | 90 | 62% |
| Mexico | 85 | 65% |
| Germany | 80 | 96% |
| United Kingdom | 60 | 88% |
| France | 55 | 82% |
Estimates based on DataReportal, Statista, and Google's regional disclosures. User numbers rounded. Last updated: July 2026.
Historical Growth
YouTube's user base has grown from 2 billion MAUs in 2019 to an estimated 2.7–2.8 billion in 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 5% over seven years. The platform's growth has been fueled by expanding internet access in developing countries, particularly India, which overtook the US as YouTube's largest market in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 gave a strong boost, pushing MAUs from 2.0 to 2.3 billion in a single year. Since then, growth has moderated but remained steady, with new users coming mainly from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
What Is Driving the Change
Several factors underpin YouTube's continued user expansion: (1) The proliferation of affordable smartphones and mobile data plans in emerging markets, especially India, Indonesia, and Brazil. (2) The rise of short-form video (YouTube Shorts), introduced in 2021, which has attracted younger audiences and creators. (3) YouTube's strong position as a music streaming platform—YouTube Music and Premium now have over 100 million subscribers combined. (4) Increasing use of YouTube for education, tutorials, and news, particularly in local languages. (5) Algorithmic improvements that personalize content and drive engagement. A notable trend is the platform's shift toward TV screens; YouTube is now the most-watched streaming service on connected TVs in the US.
Methodology
YouTube's official monthly active user figures were last publicly disclosed by Google in 2022 (2.6 billion). Since then, we rely on estimates from industry analysts (e.g., DataReportal, Statista, eMarketer) and cross-referenced with Google's quarterly earnings calls, which mention YouTube's overall ad revenue and engagement metrics. Country-level figures are derived from DataReportal's Digital 2026 report and Statista, which use surveys, app tracking data, and official demographics. All figures are estimates and may vary by source. This report is last updated July 2026.
Key takeaways
- YouTube has an estimated 2.7–2.8 billion monthly active users in 2026.
- India is the largest market with ~500 million users, followed by the US (270 million).
- Growth has slowed post-pandemic, but emerging markets continue to drive increases.
- YouTube Shorts and local-language content are key growth drivers.
- Official MAU figures have not been updated since 2022; current figures are estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How many people use YouTube in 2026?
As of July 2026, YouTube has approximately 2.7–2.8 billion monthly active users globally.
Which country has the most YouTube users?
India, with an estimated 500 million users, is the largest market.
Is YouTube growing or shrinking?
YouTube is still growing, but at a slower pace. Growth is strongest in Asia and Africa.
How many hours of video are watched on YouTube daily?
Over 1 billion hours of video are watched on YouTube every day.
Are these numbers official?
Since 2023, YouTube has not released official MAU numbers. Current figures are industry estimates.
