With billions of users worldwide, YouTube remains a powerhouse in the digital landscape, attracting millions of daily viewers – but just how many people use YouTube?
As of 2025, the platform continues to expand its user base and revenue, cementing its position as the top video-sharing site. Let’s delve into the latest statistics and trends shaping YouTube this year.
Global User Base
YouTube continues to solidify its position as one of the most widely used platforms worldwide, with its user base expanding rapidly across different regions and demographics.
Massive Monthly Active User Base (MAUs)
By 2025, YouTube’s global user base is expected to reach approximately 2.8 billion monthly active users (MAUs). This staggering number underscores the platform’s widespread adoption across different age groups, cultures, and content preferences. The growing accessibility of mobile devices and improved internet connectivity—especially in emerging markets—has been a key factor in this expansion.
This vast audience provides an unmatched opportunity for content creators, brands, and advertisers to reach a diverse and engaged community, whether through entertainment, education, or business-related content.
Here is a table displaying the number of YouTube users by year:
| Year | YouTube Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.50 billion |
| 2023 | 2.70 billion |
| 2022 | 2.68 billion |
| 2021 | 2.5 billion |
| 2020 | 2.3 billion |
| 2019 | 2 billion |
| 2018 | 1.8 billion |
| 2017 | 1.6 billion |
| 2016 | 1.5 billion |
Consistently High Daily Engagement (DAUs)
Beyond its massive monthly audience, YouTube also maintains a highly engaged daily user base. The platform records around 122 million daily active users (DAUs), illustrating just how integral YouTube has become to everyday digital consumption. These users actively watch, search, and interact with content across different categories, including:
- Entertainment (Music, movies, gaming, vlogs)
- Education (Tutorials, online courses, how-to videos)
- News and current events
- Product reviews and shopping recommendations
With users spending significant time watching and engaging with videos, YouTube continues to be a top destination for digital advertising, influencer marketing, and branded content.
YouTube Premium User Growth Over the Years
| Year | YouTube Premium Subscribers |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 100 million |
| 2022 | 80 million |
| 2021 | 50 million |
| 2020 | 30 million |
| 2019 | 18 million |
| 2018 | 10 million |
| 2017 | 2.8 million |
| 2016 | 3 million |
| 2015 | 1.5 million |
Source: Statista – Number of paying YouTube Music and YouTube Premium subscribers worldwide from 2020 to 2024
Youtube User Demographics
YouTube’s global audience is vast and diverse, spanning different age groups, genders, and geographic regions. Understanding these demographics is crucial for content creators and marketers looking to target specific user segments effectively.
Age Distribution: Who Watches YouTube?
YouTube attracts viewers from all age groups, but its most active segment consists of young adults between 25 and 34 years old. As of early 2025:
- 12% of YouTube’s global audience comprises male users aged 25 to 34, making them one of the most dominant user groups on the platform.
- 9.7% of the audience consists of female users in the same age range, showing a slightly lower but still significant presence.
This age group is particularly valuable for advertisers and brands, as they are typically highly engaged, tech-savvy, and responsive to digital marketing strategies. They use YouTube not just for entertainment but also for product research, tutorials, and professional development, making them a key demographic for businesses looking to leverage video marketing.
Other notable age groups on YouTube include:
- 18-24 years old – A significant portion of Gen Z relies on YouTube for entertainment, education, and social trends.
- 35-44 years old – This group is increasingly turning to YouTube for news, lifestyle content, and personal development.
- 45+ years old – Older users are engaging more with health, finance, and documentary-style content.
| Age of Youtube Users | Share |
|---|---|
| 18-24 | 15.8% |
| 25-34 | 21.7% |
| 35-44 | 18.5% |
| 45-54 | 14.0% |
| 55-64 | 9.9% |
| 65+ | 9.5% |
Geographical Reach: YouTube’s Global Expansion
YouTube’s accessibility in over 100 countries and 80+ languages has helped it establish a truly global audience. While the platform is popular across North America and Europe, its fastest-growing user base is in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
- India is YouTube’s largest market, with a staggering 491 million users, thanks to affordable smartphones, increased internet penetration, and a high demand for regional content.
- The United States follows closely, with 246 million users, making it a critical market for advertisers and brands.
- Brazil, Indonesia, and Russia also have millions of active users, contributing to YouTube’s dominance in digital content consumption worldwide.
This global reach presents endless opportunities for brands, influencers, and businesses to expand their audience and cater to regional preferences and language-specific content.
Top-Earning YouTubers
YouTube has turned content creators into millionaires:
- MrBeast – Earned $82 million in 2023 through viral challenges, sponsorships, and merchandise.
- Rhett & Link – Brought in $35 million, leveraging their talk show format and brand expansion.
- Ryan Kaji – Made $35 million, proving kid-friendly content remains highly profitable.
With new monetization tools, such as live streaming and Shorts revenue sharing, YouTube is set to further boost creator earnings in the coming years.
Content Creation and Consumption Trends
YouTube’s Expanding Creator Ecosystem
YouTube is home to a vast number of content creators, with over 113 million channels currently active on the platform. However, only a select few have managed to reach extraordinary levels of success—just 14 channels have surpassed 100 million subscribers. This highlights how competitive the platform is, where only the most engaging, consistent, and high-quality content manages to build a massive audience.
Despite this, YouTube continues to empower creators across various niches, from gaming and tech reviews to educational content and vlogging. The platform’s monetization options, including ad revenue, memberships, and sponsorships, provide opportunities for content creators to make a living from their passion.
High Daily Engagement Among Users
A significant 62% of U.S. internet users visit YouTube daily, demonstrating its critical role in modern digital consumption. Unlike traditional television, YouTube provides an interactive and personalized experience, allowing users to watch content tailored to their interests. The platform is used for multiple purposes, including:
- Entertainment: Music videos, gaming streams, movie trailers, and influencer content.
- Education & Self-Improvement: Tutorials, DIY guides, and professional training videos.
- News & Information: Live news updates, interviews, and in-depth discussions on current events.
This high level of daily engagement makes YouTube a prime platform for marketers and advertisers looking to reach an active audience.
YouTube’s Dominance Among Children
YouTube has become the top video platform for children, especially in the U.S., where kids spend an average of 77 minutes per day on the YouTube mobile app. This surpasses traditional television and even dedicated kids’ streaming services.
The platform’s dominance in this demographic can be attributed to:
- Diverse Kid-Friendly Content: Cartoons, animated learning videos, and child influencers.
- Parental Controls & YouTube Kids App: Features that allow safer content curation for younger audiences.
- Interactive & Engaging Format: Unlike traditional TV, YouTube allows children to choose videos, watch their favorite creators, and engage with educational content tailored to their interests.
With children spending a substantial amount of time on the platform, YouTube plays a significant role in shaping early digital habits, making it a crucial space for educational content creators and brands targeting younger audiences.
The Future of YouTube
YouTube’s future looks promising as it continues to evolve with technological advancements, including AI-generated content, enhanced monetization features, and improved user experience. With short-form content, live streaming, and AI-driven recommendations playing a significant role, YouTube is poised to remain a powerhouse in the digital world.
In Conclusion – How many people use Youtube?
YouTube’s influence continues to grow in 2025, making it an essential platform for content creators, businesses, and marketers. With billions of active users, diverse content, and an advanced recommendation algorithm, YouTube remains a powerhouse in the digital world. Understanding these key statistics can help you leverage YouTube more effectively, whether for brand visibility, education, or entertainment.
By staying informed about YouTube’s trends and audience behaviors, marketers and creators can craft better strategies, maximize engagement, and tap into YouTube’s vast potential for growth.
