How Many Telegram Users Are There in 2026? Global & by Country
As of June 2026, Telegram has approximately 950 million monthly active users (MAU) worldwide, making it the third most popular messaging app after WhatsApp and WeChat. The platform has seen remarkable growth, doubling its user base since 2021. This report breaks down Telegram users by country and region, with official figures and estimates.
Telegram by the Numbers (2026)
- Global MAU: ~950 million (estimated, based on company announcements and app store data)
- Daily active users (DAU): ~400-500 million (estimated)
- Countries with highest penetration: India, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt
- Year-over-year growth: ~15% from 2025 (825 million to 950 million)
- Official figure: Telegram reported 800 million MAU in July 2024; estimates for 2026 are extrapolated from growth trends.
Year-by-Year Trend: Telegram Monthly Active Users (2020–2026)
| Year | Monthly Active Users (MAU) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 400 million | Official (Telegram blog) |
| 2021 | 500 million | Official (Telegram blog) |
| 2022 | 700 million | Official (Telegram blog) |
| 2023 | 800 million | Official (Telegram blog) |
| 2024 | 800 million | Official (Telegram blog, July) |
| 2025 | 825 million | Estimated (industry analysis) |
| 2026 | 950 million | Estimated (based on app downloads and growth rate) |
Telegram Users by Country (2026 Estimates)
| Country | Estimated MAU (millions) | Penetration (% of population) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 200 | 14% | Largest user base; growth driven by privacy features |
| Russia | 70 | 48% | Home market; widely used for news and communication |
| Brazil | 60 | 28% | Rapid adoption after WhatsApp outages |
| Indonesia | 50 | 18% | Popular for group chats and channels |
| Egypt | 35 | 32% | High usage among youth |
| United States | 30 | 9% | Growing steadily; niche for crypto and tech communities |
| Ukraine | 25 | 60% | Critical communication tool during conflict |
| Germany | 20 | 24% | Strong in tech-savvy demographics |
| Turkey | 20 | 23% | Popular for news and entertainment channels |
| Iran | 15 | 17% | Widely used despite restrictions |
| Rest of World | 425 | – | Combined estimate for other countries |
Note: Country-level figures are estimates based on app store download data, third-party analytics (e.g., DataReportal, Sensor Tower), and regional surveys. Exact official country breakdowns are not publicly disclosed.
Historical Growth
Telegram’s user growth has been remarkable. From 400 million MAU in 2020, the platform added 100 million users in 2021, then surged to 700 million in 2022, driven by privacy concerns and WhatsApp’s policy changes. Growth stabilized around 800 million in 2023–2024, but a new acceleration in 2025–2026 pushed the figure to an estimated 950 million. Key milestones include the introduction of Stories, Channels, and monetization features like Telegram Premium, which attracted both users and content creators.
What Is Driving the Change
Several factors fuel Telegram’s growth: privacy and security (end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages), feature-rich platform (channels, bots, large group sizes), and regional popularity in countries with unreliable or censored internet. The war in Ukraine boosted usage as a primary news source. Additionally, Telegram’s open API and third-party clients have expanded its reach. Competition with WhatsApp remains fierce, but Telegram’s niche as a private, uncensored platform continues to attract users.
Methodology
Telegram’s official MAU figures are sourced from company announcements (blog posts and founder statements) through 2024. Estimates for 2025–2026 and country-level data are derived from app store download estimates (Sensor Tower, Appfigures), web traffic data (Similarweb), and surveys by DataReportal and Pew Research. Penetration rates use UN population estimates. All figures should be considered approximate and may change. Last updated: June 2026. Statistics change; re-verify before citing.
Key takeaways
- Telegram reached an estimated 950 million MAU globally in June 2026, up from 800 million in 2024.
- India leads with 200 million users, followed by Russia (70 million) and Brazil (60 million).
- The platform saw a 15% year-over-year growth from 2025 to 2026.
- Privacy features and regional conflicts have been major growth drivers.
- Official country-level data is not disclosed; figures are estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How many Telegram users are there in 2026?
Telegram has approximately 950 million monthly active users as of June 2026, according to estimates based on app downloads and growth trends.
Which country has the most Telegram users?
India has the largest user base with an estimated 200 million MAU, followed by Russia (70 million) and Brazil (60 million).
Is Telegram growing faster than WhatsApp?
Telegram is growing faster percentage-wise, but WhatsApp still has over 2 billion MAU. Telegram’s growth rate is around 15% year-over-year, while WhatsApp’s is slower.
Are Telegram user numbers official?
Global MAU numbers are official up to 2024 (Telegram reported 800 million). Since then, figures are estimated by third-party analysts. Country-level data is not officially released.
Why is Telegram popular in certain countries?
Telegram is popular in countries with privacy concerns (e.g., Russia, Iran), unreliable internet (e.g., India, Indonesia), or where it serves as a primary news source (e.g., Ukraine).
