Understanding the number of social media users in Pakistan can be confusing, with different sources showing different numbers. This happens due to varying data collection times and methodologies (e.g., total users vs. ad audience). This article synthesizes the most reliable data from 2024 and 2025 to provide the clearest picture possible.
TikTok is now arguably the largest social platform in Pakistan by user count. According to data from early 2025, there are 66.9 million active users aged 18 and above. This number is independently confirmed by sources like World Population Review. This shows a huge jump from the 54.4 million users reported by the PTA for January 2024.
YouTube’s user base is massive, but the exact number varies by source. The PTA’s official data for January 2024 stated an impressive 71.7 million users. However, more recent 2025 reports based on Google’s ad resources provide a more conservative figure. DataReportal and Statista both report 55.9 million YouTube users in early 2025, with Backlinko estimating 54.3 million. The difference likely comes from a change in methodology, focusing on ad-reachable audience versus total users.
Facebook’s user count also shows variation. The PTA reported 60.4 million users in January 2024. In contrast, data from February 2025 reports Facebook’s audience at 49.4 million users. This figure is consistent with DataReportal’s findings for the same period. The shift could reflect a more refined measurement of Meta’s “ad audience” rather than a drop in total profiles.
Instagram continues to grow steadily. While the PTA recorded 17.3 million users in early 2024, by January 2025, that number had grown to 20.4 million users, according to NapoleonCat. DataReportal’s figure for the same period is very close, at 18.8 million.
The data clearly shows a dynamic and evolving social media environment in Pakistan. While official data from 2024 placed YouTube and Facebook at the top, the latest 2025 estimates indicate that TikTok has surged to become a leading platform in terms of sheer user numbers. The discrepancies between sources highlight the importance of understanding the context behind the numbers—whether they represent total users, ad-reachable audiences, or are from different time periods. Overall, every major platform is experiencing significant engagement, reflecting a deeply connected digital population.