As of July 2026, Telegram has approximately 950 million monthly active users (MAU), up from 700 million in early 2023. The messaging app continues to gain traction globally, driven by privacy features and regional shifts.
Telegram Users by the Numbers (2026)
- 950 million monthly active users (MAU) as of July 2026 (Telegram official estimate).
- ~2.5 billion total app downloads (Sensor Tower estimate).
- Top market: India with ~200 million users, followed by Russia (~70 million), Indonesia (~60 million), Brazil (~50 million), and the United States (~40 million).
- Growth rate: ~35% increase in MAU from 700 million in January 2023 to 950 million in July 2026.
- Daily active users: Estimated 500–550 million (not officially disclosed).
Year-by-Year Trend: Telegram Monthly Active Users (2019–2026)
| Year | Monthly Active Users (MAU) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~300 million | Telegram official announcement |
| 2020 | ~400 million | Telegram official announcement |
| 2021 | ~500 million | Telegram official announcement |
| 2022 | ~700 million | Telegram official announcement |
| 2023 | ~800 million | Telegram official announcement |
| 2024 | ~850 million | Industry estimate (Statista, DataReportal) |
| 2025 | ~900 million | Industry estimate |
| 2026 (July) | ~950 million | Telegram official estimate |
Telegram Users by Country (2026)
| Country | Estimated Users (millions) | Penetration (% of population) |
|---|---|---|
| India | 200 | 14% |
| Russia | 70 | 48% |
| Indonesia | 60 | 22% |
| Brazil | 50 | 23% |
| United States | 40 | 12% |
| Egypt | 30 | 28% |
| Turkey | 25 | 29% |
| Iran | 20 | 23% |
| Germany | 18 | 22% |
| Nigeria | 15 | 7% |
Note: Country-level figures are estimates based on app download data, survey data, and third-party analytics (e.g., DataReportal, Statista). Exact official figures by country are not disclosed by Telegram.
Historical Growth
Telegram’s user base has grown steadily since its launch in 2013, but accelerated sharply after WhatsApp’s privacy policy controversy in January 2021. Telegram gained 100 million new users in a single month (January 2021) and crossed 500 million MAU by March 2021. Growth continued at a slower but consistent pace: 700 million in 2022, 800 million in 2023, and an estimated 950 million by mid-2026. The app benefited from regional conflicts, privacy concerns, and feature updates (channels, bots, stories).
What Is Driving the Change
- Privacy and security: End-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and secret chats appeal to users concerned about data privacy.
- Regional dynamics: In India, Telegram is popular for group chats and channels; in Russia and Eastern Europe, it is a primary communication tool; in Iran, it is used despite government blocks.
- Feature expansion: Introduction of stories, premium subscriptions, and improved video calls have retained users.
- WhatsApp fatigue: Ongoing controversies around WhatsApp’s data sharing with Meta have driven some users to Telegram.
- Monetization: Telegram Premium (launched 2022) has provided revenue without ads, supporting infrastructure for growth.
Methodology
Telegram’s official MAU figures are announced periodically by founder Pavel Durov via his Telegram channel. Country-level estimates are derived from a combination of app download data (Sensor Tower, App Annie), survey-based internet user studies (DataReportal, Statista), and third-party analytics. Penetration rates use UN population estimates. All figures are rounded and should be treated as indicative; official country breakdowns are not published. Last updated: July 2026. Statistics change and should be re-verified before citing.
Key Takeaways
- Telegram has reached ~950 million MAU globally as of July 2026, up from 300 million in 2019.
- India is the largest market with an estimated 200 million users, followed by Russia (70 million) and Indonesia (60 million).
- Growth is driven by privacy features, regional adoption, and feature updates, but remains below WhatsApp’s 2.5+ billion user base.
- Telegram Premium and channel monetization are supporting sustainable growth without relying on advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Telegram users are there in 2026?
As of July 2026, Telegram has approximately 950 million monthly active users (MAU), according to an official estimate from Telegram.
Which country has the most Telegram users?
India has the largest Telegram user base, with an estimated 200 million users, followed by Russia (~70 million) and Indonesia (~60 million).
Is Telegram bigger than WhatsApp?
No. WhatsApp has over 2.5 billion MAU globally, significantly larger than Telegram’s 950 million. However, Telegram has higher engagement in certain regions and among privacy-conscious users.
How many Telegram users are there in the United States?
Estimated at ~40 million MAU as of 2026, making the US the fifth-largest market.
How many daily active users does Telegram have?
Telegram does not officially disclose DAU. Third-party estimates suggest 500–550 million daily active users (approximately 55% of MAU).
Is Telegram growing?
Yes. Telegram added about 250 million users between early 2023 and mid-2026, an increase of roughly 35%. Growth is expected to continue but may slow as the app approaches 1 billion MAU.
Key takeaways
- Telegram reached ~950 million MAU by July 2026, up from 700 million in early 2023.
- India leads with ~200 million users, followed by Russia (70M) and Indonesia (60M).
- Growth is fueled by privacy features and regional adoption, especially after WhatsApp's 2021 policy change.
- Telegram remains the second-largest messaging app globally after WhatsApp (2.5B+ MAU).
Frequently asked questions
How many Telegram users are there in 2026?
As of July 2026, Telegram has approximately 950 million monthly active users (MAU), according to an official estimate from Telegram.
Which country has the most Telegram users?
India has the largest Telegram user base, with an estimated 200 million users, followed by Russia (~70 million) and Indonesia (~60 million).
Is Telegram bigger than WhatsApp?
No. WhatsApp has over 2.5 billion MAU globally, significantly larger than Telegram’s 950 million. However, Telegram has higher engagement in certain regions and among privacy-conscious users.
How many Telegram users are there in the United States?
Estimated at ~40 million MAU as of 2026, making the US the fifth-largest market.
How many daily active users does Telegram have?
Telegram does not officially disclose DAU. Third-party estimates suggest 500–550 million daily active users (approximately 55% of MAU).
Is Telegram growing?
Yes. Telegram added about 250 million users between early 2023 and mid-2026, an increase of roughly 35%. Growth is expected to continue but may slow as the app approaches 1 billion MAU.
