X (Twitter) User Demographics: How Big Is the Platform?
Originally launched in 2006, X (formerly Twitter) began as a micro-blogging platform where users could share short, 140-character posts called “tweets.”
Its popularity surged in 2007 when daily tweets jumped from 20,000 to 60,000 during the South by Southwest conference. Since then, X has become a global hub for sharing updates, discussing interests, and connecting with others.
Although the platform now allows 280 characters per tweet, it remains a space for concise messaging. For marketers, X is a valuable tool for expanding online presence and engaging audiences.
In this post, we’ve compiled key X statistics on usage, demographics, and more to help you understand the platform’s current state and whether it’s worth investing in.
Top X (Twitter) Statistics
Here are some essential statistics about X that every marketer should know:
- X Ranks as the 12th Most Popular Social Network: X ranks 12th globally in terms of user numbers, trailing behind platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
- 10% of Users Generate 92% of Tweets: A small group of highly active users dominates the platform. Data shows that 10% of X users in the U.S. are responsible for 92% of all tweets, while the majority of users tweet only once per month on average.
- 48% of Users Use X for News: X is a go-to platform for staying informed. Here’s how U.S. users primarily use the platform:
X’s UK Penetration Rate Dropped to 10.49% in 2024: While X’s penetration rate in the UK has declined from 45% in 2020 to 10.49% as of July 2024, the platform remains a popular choice for online connections. - Elon Musk Acquired X for $44 Billion: On October 28, 2022, Elon Musk purchased X after a lengthy negotiation process. On May 13, 2023, he transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman & Chief Technology Officer, appointing Linda Yaccarino, former head of advertising at NBCUniversal, as the new CEO.
| Purpose | Percentage of Users |
| To get news | 48% |
| To get entertainment | 48% |
| To keep in contact with friends | 34% |
| To follow brands/companies | 33% |
| To strengthen professional network | 14% |
| For other purposes | 12% |
Global and Regional User Statistics
Twitter boasts a global user base of 335.7 million as of 2024. While it may not match the user numbers of platforms like Facebook or Instagram, it maintains a loyal and active audience. Below is a breakdown of Twitter users by region:
| Region | Number of Users | Key Insights |
| Global | 335.7 million | 259.4 million daily active users, as reported by Elon Musk. |
| United States | 106.23 million | 69% of U.S. women have taken a break from Twitter, compared to 54% of men. |
| United Kingdom | 23.15 million | Over 50% of UK Twitter users are male. |
Overview of Twitter’s User Base
This section provides an overview of Twitter’s global user base, including monthly and daily active users.
Monthly Active Users (MAUs)
Twitter’s monthly active users (MAUs) represent the number of unique individuals who engage with the platform within a 30-day period. Below is a summary of the available data:
| Source | Monthly Active Users (MAUs) | Region/Scope |
| Elon Musk (X/Twitter Owner) | 600 million | Worldwide (May 2024) |
| Linda Yaccarino (X/Twitter CEO) | Over 500 million | Worldwide |
| General Announcement | Over 500 million | Worldwide |
| Estimates | Over 368 million | Worldwide |
| US-specific Data | Over 50.5 million | United States |
According to Elon Musk, Twitter had 600 million monthly active users globally as of May 2024. X/Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino announced that the platform has over 500 million monthly active users worldwide.
Estimates suggest a slightly lower figure of over 368 million monthly active users globally. In the United States alone, Twitter has more than 50.5 million monthly active users.
Daily Active Users (DAUs)
Daily active users (DAUs) measure the number of unique visitors who engage with Twitter within a 24-hour period.
Twitter specifically reports monetizable daily active users (mDAUs), which refers to logged-in accounts that can be shown ads. Since Twitter became a private company after its acquisition by Elon Musk, updates on usage metrics have become less frequent and less transparent.
| Source | Daily Active Users (DAUs) | Region/Scope |
| Latest Data | 245 million | Worldwide |
| Company Claim | 200 to 250 million | Worldwide |
| Apptopia Analysis | Around 121 million | Worldwide |
According to the latest data, X/Twitter has 245 million daily active users globally. The company, as a private entity, claims to have between 200 to 250 million daily active users worldwide.
However, an analysis by Apptopia estimates that Twitter has around 121 million daily active users, which is notably lower than the figures provided by the company.
Daily Activity on Twitter
Twitter users are highly active, with millions of tweets shared daily. Here’s a snapshot of daily Twitter activity:
| Metric | Statistic |
| Tweets sent per day | 500 million |
| Average time spent (U.S.) | 35 minutes per day |
| Average time spent (UK) | 4 minutes per day |
Demographics of Twitter Users
Gender Demographics
Twitter’s user base is predominantly male. Approximately 61.2% of X/Twitter users are male, while 38.8% are female. This contrasts with platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, which report a more balanced gender distribution, with 49.7% and 43.4% female users, respectively.
| Gender | Percentage |
| Male | 61.2% |
| Female | 38.8% |
Age Demographics
Twitter’s audience is largely composed of younger users. Around 58.38% of its users are between 18 and 34 years old.
| Age Group | Percentage |
| 18-24 | 28.8% |
| 25-34 | 29.58% |
| 35-44 | 17.88% |
| 45-54 | 11.47% |
| 55-64 | 7.54% |
| 65+ | 4.83% |
This data highlights Twitter’s appeal to younger audiences, with nearly 60% of its users falling within the 18-34 age range.
Historical Growth Milestones
| Date | Daily Active Users Worldwide (in millions) |
| Q1 2017 | 109 |
| Q2 2017 | 110 |
| Q3 2017 | 114 |
| Q4 2017 | 115 |
| Q1 2018 | 120 |
| Q2 2018 | 122 |
| Q3 2018 | 124 |
| Q4 2018 | 126 |
| Q1 2019 | 134 |
| Q2 2019 | 139 |
| Q3 2019 | 145 |
| Q4 2019 | 152 |
| Q1 2020 | 166 |
| Q2 2020 | 186 |
| Q3 2020 | 187 |
| Q4 2020 | 192 |
| Q1 2021 | 199 |
| Q2 2021 | 206 |
| Q3 2021 | 211 |
| Q4 2021 | 217 |
| Q1 2022 | 229 |
| Q2 2022 | 237.8 |
| October 2022* | 257.8 |
| November 2022* | 259.4 |
| September 2023* | 225 (revised to 245) |
Twitter’s user base grew steadily from 109 million daily active users in Q1 2017 to 259.4 million in November 2022. However, by September 2023, the number was revised to 225 million, with a later update suggesting 245 million daily active users.
Twitter’s Popularity Compared to Other Social Networks
As of October 2023, X/Twitter ranks as the 12th most popular social networking platform globally, based on potential ad reach. It reaches approximately 12.6% of internet users worldwide.
| Network | Active Users (in millions) |
| 3030 | |
| YouTube | 2491 |
| 2000 | |
| 2000 | |
| 1327 | |
| TikTok | 1218 |
| FB Messenger | 1036 |
| Telegram | 800 |
| Snapchat | 750 |
| Douyin | 743 |
| Kuaishou | 673 |
| X (Twitter) | 666 |
| Sina Weibo | 599 |
| 571 | |
| 465 |
Twitter’s active user base of 666 million places it behind platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram but ahead of others like Sina Weibo and Pinterest. Despite its ranking, Twitter remains a significant player in the global social media landscape.
Twitter Users by Country
Twitter, which originally launched in the United States, has the largest user base in its country of origin. However, the platform is rapidly expanding into international markets, with a significant portion of its recent growth coming from outside the U.S.
Countries in Asia, such as Japan, India, and Indonesia, are leading this growth. Combined, these regions now have a larger user base than Twitter’s entire U.S. audience.
There are 12 countries where X/Twitter has more than 15 million users each. These include the United Kingdom, Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, France, and Germany. Below is a breakdown of the top 15 countries with the highest number of Twitter users:
| Country | Users (in millions) |
| United States | 108.55 |
| Japan | 74.1 |
| India | 30.3 |
| Indonesia | 27.05 |
| United Kingdom | 24.3 |
| Brazil | 21.14 |
| Turkey | 22.75 |
| Mexico | 19.6 |
| Saudi Arabia | 17.9 |
| Thailand | 16.2 |
| France | 16.1 |
| Germany | 15.55 |
| Spain | 12.85 |
| Philippines | 12.2 |
| Canada | 11.8 |
Most Popular Twitter Accounts
With over 500 million users on the platform, gaining a massive following is no small feat. However, certain political leaders, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and brands have managed to attract over 50 million followers. Below is a list of the top 20 X/Twitter accounts with the most followers:
| Profile | Followers (in millions) |
| Elon Musk | 166.43 |
| Barack Obama | 131.96 |
| Justin Bieber | 111.5 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 110.43 |
| Rihanna | 108.48 |
| Katy Perry | 106.98 |
| Taylor Swift | 94.95 |
| Narendra Modi | 93.87 |
| Donald Trump | 87.44 |
| Ariana Grande | 85.27 |
| Lady Gaga | 83.79 |
| YouTube | 79.68 |
| NASA | 78.43 |
| Kim Kardashian | 75.22 |
| Ellen DeGeneres | 74.89 |
| X (Twitter) | 67.33 |
| Selena Gomez | 66.58 |
| Bill Gates | 63.43 |
| CNN Breaking News | 63.94 |
| Neymar Júnior | 63.1 |
Twitter Platform and Revenue Statistics
Twitter has seen consistent growth in revenue, driven largely by advertising. Here’s a look at the platform’s financial performance:
| Metric | Statistic |
| Global Revenue (2022) | $4.73 billion |
| Advertising Revenue (2021) | $4.5 million |
| Sales and Marketing Spend (2021) | $1.17 billion |
Twitter Advertising and Engagement
Twitter’s advertising platform is highly effective, with users spending more time engaging with ads compared to other platforms. Key advertising statistics include:
| Metric | Statistic |
| Ad View Time | 26% longer than other platforms |
| Global Ad Engagement Growth (YoY) | 35% increase |
| Brands Seen as Culturally Relevant | Higher ad spend correlates with increased cultural relevance and revenue. |
Twitter for Business
Twitter is a valuable platform for businesses, particularly for B2B marketers. Here’s how businesses are leveraging Twitter:
| Metric | Statistic |
| B2B Content Marketers | 82% use Twitter |
| Users Following Brands | 79% follow brands |
| Brand Interaction | Twitter is the top platform for real-time brand interaction. |
Key Takeaways
- Global Reach: Twitter has 335.7 million users worldwide, with the U.S. leading at 106.23 million users.
- Daily Activity: Over 500 million tweets are sent daily, and U.S. users spend an average of 35 minutes per day on the platform.
- Demographics: Twitter’s user base is 60.9% male, with significant adoption among Gen Z users.
- Advertising: Twitter ads see 26% longer view times and a 35% year-over-year increase in global engagement.
- Business Value: 82% of B2B marketers use Twitter, and 79% of users follow brands on the platform.
These statistics highlight Twitter’s continued relevance and potential for brands and marketers in 2025.
Whether you’re looking to engage with a global audience or connect with specific demographics, Twitter offers a robust platform for sharing content and driving engagement.
