Telegram has emerged as a formidable player in the realm of messaging applications, boasting an exceptional 950 million monthly active users (MAUs). The surge in user adoption is particularly noticeable in regions like India, where approximately 45% of the population engages with the app, and in Russia, where it has overtaken WhatsApp as the leading messaging platform.
Despite its rapid growth, Telegram has not been without its hurdles. In March 2024, a Spanish court imposed a temporary ban on the app due to apprehensions about unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material. Thankfully, this restriction was subsequently lifted, allowing countries to continue using the platform freely.
In this comprehensive exploration, we will delve into the intricate aspects of Telegram, encompassing user demographics, engagement patterns, download statistics, and its financial trajectory.
Key Highlights of Telegram Statistics for 2025
- Monthly Active Users: As of early 2025, Telegram showcases 950 million monthly active users.
- Daily Active Users: Roughly 450 million of these users engage with the platform on a daily basis.
- Premium Subscribers: A burgeoning community of 10 million users has subscribed to Telegram Premium.
- Regional Usage: Notably, 45% of individuals in India regularly utilize Telegram, contrasting sharply with just 9% of Americans.
- Age Distribution: Approximately 53.2% of Telegram users fall within the ages of 25 to 44 years.
- Engagement Time: On average, users dedicate around 3 hours and 45 minutes to Telegram monthly.
- In-App Revenue: During the first two months of 2024, Telegram generated $11.66 million in in-app revenue.
- Total Funding: Since its inception, Telegram has secured more than $4 billion in funding.
Telegram’s Impressive Growth Trajectory
As we embark on 2025, Telegram has achieved an extraordinary milestone of 950 million monthly active users, showcasing robust growth from the 900 million users tallied in spring 2024. This growth trajectory signifies an increase of 150 million monthly active users in just one year, highlighting the app’s increasing relevance and appeal in the global messaging landscape.
The influx of new users is remarkable, with approximately 2.5 million people joining Telegram every day. This consistent engagement demonstrates the platform’s strong value proposition and its ability to attract and retain users.
Growth Over the Years
The following table illustrates the growth of Telegram’s MAUs over various periods:
| Month – Year | Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| July ’24 | 950 million |
| April ’24 | 900 million |
| July ’23 | 800 million |
| November ’22 | 700 million |
| April ’22 | 500 million |
| April ’20 | 400 million |
| March ’18 | 200 million |
| December ’17 | 180 million |
| February ’16 | 100 million |
| September ’15 | 60 million |
| December ’14 | 50 million |
| March ’14 | 35 million |
Daily Active Users Insights
Telegram’s daily active user base stands at approximately 450 million, indicating that nearly half of the platform’s monthly active users log in on a daily basis, a testament to user loyalty and engagement levels. Source: Telegram
The Rise of Telegram Premium
On September 6, 2024, Telegram celebrated a remarkable achievement by surpassing 10 million premium subscribers. This represents a significant leap from the 5 million paying users recorded earlier in January 2024.
The premium subscription offers a suite of enhanced functionalities, including the capability to upload files of up to 4 GB (a notable increase from the standard 2 GB), expedited download speeds, and access to exclusive premium stickers, among other offerings. Despite this surge, premium subscribers constitute only about 1% of Telegram’s total monthly active users, with the majority favoring the free version.
Premium User Growth Over the Years
The growth trajectory of Telegram Premium subscribers is as follows:
| Month – Year | Premium Subscribers |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | 10 million |
| January 2024 | 5 million |
| December 2023 | 4 million |
| October 2023 | 3.5 million |
| December 2022 | 1 million |
| August 2022 | 0.26 million |
| July 2022 | 0.15 million |
Geographic Distribution of Telegram Users
Telegram enjoys widespread popularity across various countries. Notably, in India, 45% of the population engages regularly with the application. The app also garners substantial usage in nations like Brazil and Mexico, where 38% and 34% of people utilize Telegram, respectively. Conversely, the platform has lower penetration in the United States, where only 9% of the populace uses it.
Telegram Usage by Country
| Country | Share of Users Using Telegram |
|---|---|
| India | 45% |
| Brazil | 38% |
| Mexico | 34% |
| South Africa | 32% |
| Spain | 32% |
| Italy | 29% |
| Germany | 16% |
| France | 11% |
| United Kingdom | 10% |
| United States | 9% |
| Japan | 1% |
Demographic Breakdown of Telegram Users
Age Distribution
The majority of Telegram’s users are between the ages of 25 and 44, which comprises more than half of its user base. Only about one-fourth of users are below the age of 24. The following table breaks down the age demographics:
| Age Group | Share of Telegram Users |
|---|---|
| Up to 17 | 6.4% |
| 18 to 24 | 18.8% |
| 25 to 34 | 29.4% |
| 35 to 44 | 23.8% |
| Over 45 years | 21.6% |
Gender Distribution
A significant majority of Telegram’s users are male, accounting for approximately 58% of the total user base, while female users make up 42%.
| Gender | Share of Users |
|---|---|
| Male | 58% |
| Female | 42% |
App Download Statistics
In February 2024 alone, the Telegram application was downloaded 34.33 million times, contributing to the app’s impressive download numbers. The peak download rate occurred in October 2023, with a staggering 42.61 million downloads. Below is a detailed breakdown of app downloads from February 2023 to February 2024:
| Month – Year | Downloads |
|---|---|
| February 2024 | 34.33 million |
| January 2024 | 36.87 million |
| December 2023 | 35.02 million |
| November 2023 | 36.92 million |
| October 2023 | 42.61 million |
| September 2023 | 36.28 million |
| August 2023 | 38.25 million |
| July 2023 | 33.97 million |
| June 2023 | 32.19 million |
| May 2023 | 32.86 million |
| April 2023 | 29.74 million |
| March 2023 | 29.31 million |
| February 2023 | 28.47 million |
Downloads by Country
In 2023, India recorded the highest number of Telegram app downloads at an astounding 83.85 million, followed by Russia with 35.06 million. The United States stood third with 29.92 million downloads. The following table illustrates the distribution of downloads by country:
| Country | Number of Downloads |
|---|---|
| India | 83.85 million |
| Russia | 35.06 million |
| United States | 29.92 million |
| Indonesia | 24.34 million |
| Brazil | 22.83 million |
| Vietnam | 17.55 million |
| Ukraine | 11.77 million |
| Kazakhstan | 9.36 million |
| France | 7.45 million |
| United Kingdom | 6.04 million |
| Malaysia | 5.52 million |
| Italy | 4.14 million |
User Engagement Statistics
Time Spent on Telegram
On average, users dedicate about 3 hours and 45 minutes each month to Telegram, positioning it as one of the more frequently visited social media platforms. A comparison of time spent across various platforms reveals where Telegram stands:
| Social Media Platform | Time Spent per Month |
|---|---|
| TikTok | 34 hours |
| YouTube | 28 hours 5 minutes |
| 19 hours 47 minutes | |
| WhatsApp Messenger | 17 hours 6 minutes |
| 15 hours 50 minutes | |
| Line | 8 hours 14 minutes |
| X (formerly Twitter) | 4 hours 40 minutes |
| Telegram | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Snapchat | 3 hours 33 minutes |
| FB Messenger | 3 hours 21 minutes |
| 1 hour 49 minutes | |
| 51 minutes |
Source: Data Reportal
Session Duration
The average session time on Telegram is approximately 1 minute and 21 seconds, indicating how long users are typically engaged each time they open the app. When stacked against other platforms, it ranks as follows:
| Social Media Platform | Average Session Duration |
|---|---|
| YouTube | 7 minutes 25 seconds |
| TikTok | 5 minutes 56 seconds |
| 3 minutes 42 seconds | |
| 2 minutes 44 seconds | |
| 2 minutes 11 seconds | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | 2 minutes 11 seconds |
| Snapchat | 1 minute 23 seconds |
| Telegram | 1 minute 21 seconds |
| 1 minute 13 seconds | |
| WhatsApp Messenger | 1 minute 6 seconds |
| FB Messenger | 1 minute 6 seconds |
Financial Performance of Telegram
Telegram’s in-app revenue reached nearly $6.1 million in February 2024, which represents a $0.6 million increase from January 2024. The majority of the revenue generation stems from the company’s premium subscription service, which was launched in June 2022, and allows users to access more extensive features, including larger file uploads and higher download speeds.
Breakdown of In-App Revenue
The following table depicts Telegram’s revenue segmented by the app store through which it was generated:
| Month – Year | Apple App Store | Google Play Store |
|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | $4.86 million | $1.22 million |
| January 2024 | $4.44 million | $1.14 million |
| December 2023 | $3.87 million | $0.97 million |
| November 2023 | $3.35 million | $0.82 million |
| October 2023 | $3.18 million | $0.79 million |
| September 2023 | $2.94 million | $0.78 million |
| August 2023 | $3.09 million | $0.73 million |
| July 2023 | $2.86 million | $0.63 million |
| June 2023 | $2.30 million | $0.57 million |
| May 2023 | $2.45 million | $0.62 million |
Source: Statista
Funding Overview
Since its establishment in 2013, Telegram has amassed over $4 billion in funding, with the latest funding round occurring in March 2024, securing $330 million through capital bond sales. Notable earlier rounds include $270 million in June 2023. The platform’s total funding history can be summarized as follows:
| Date | Funding Received |
|---|---|
| March 18, 2024 | $0.33 billion |
| July 18, 2023 | $0.27 billion |
| April 28, 2021 | $0.75 billion |
| March 15 and 23, 2021 | $1 billion |
| March 1, 2018 | $1.7 billion |
Source: Statista
Telegram’s Global Availability
The Telegram application is widely accessible across various platforms, available for download in around 175 countries via the Apple App Store and in 133 out of 141 countries that utilize the Google Play Store. Additionally, it is downloadable on Windows in 107 out of 109 supported countries.
Source: Appfigures
Noteworthy Features and Capabilities
- Group Chats: Telegram supports large group chats, accommodating up to 200,000 members.
- File Uploads: Standard users can upload files up to 2 GB, while premium users have a doubled limit of 4 GB.
- Bot Platform: Over 10 million bots are hosted, allowing developers to create versatile chatbots and mini applications.
Advertising and Revenue Sharing
Telegram has introduced an advertising model that allows channel owners to monetize their content, with 50% of display ad revenues distributed to Telegram channel owners. Those with a minimum of 1,000 subscribers can withdraw their earnings fee-free, with options for reinvestment in ads or premium features.
Popular Telegram Channels
Among the many channels available, Telegram Tips stands out as the most popular, boasting nearly 10.9 million subscribers. Other notable channels include Telegram News and Telegram Premium, with 7.34 million and 7.11 million subscribers, respectively.
| Channel Name | Subscribers |
|---|---|
| Tech Tips | 6.45 million |
| News Channel | 5.93 million |
| Entertainment News | 5.44 million |
| Sports Updates | 4.91 million |
| Fashion Trends | 4.55 million |
| Health and Wellness | 4.23 million |
| Business Insights | 3.91 million |
| Language Learning | 3.64 million |
| Travel Guides | 3.45 million |
| Food Recipes | 3.23 million |
Source: Statista
Telegram E-commerce Related Data
Telegram has emerged as a significant player in the e-commerce space, generating impressive sales figures in various product categories. Notably, goods sourced from China accounted for the highest sales volume, reaching $12 million. In addition, digital equipment generated $5.52 million in sales, making it the second most profitable segment. Other significant contributors included consumer loans and apparel, which also attracted considerable sales. Below is a table summarizing the sales volume recorded across the top segments on Telegram:
| Segment | Sales Volume on Telegram |
|---|---|
| Goods from China | $12 million |
| Digital Equipment | $5.52 million |
| Consumer Loans | $3.12 million |
| Apparel and Shoes | $2.14 million |
| Sports Products | $0.86 million |
| Work and Education | $0.57 million |
| Hypermarkets | $0.45 million |
| Health and Beauty | $0.25 million |
| Furniture and Household Goods | $0.063 million |
| Food Delivery | $0.057 million |
Source: Statista
Telegram Security Concerns
In August 2024, Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested amid allegations regarding the app’s use in illegal activities. Reports indicated that Telegram was implicated in drug trafficking and the dissemination of child sexual abuse materials. The rise of these concerns is partly due to the fact that Telegram’s encryption is not enabled by default; users must manually select this option for individual chats. Furthermore, this feature is not applicable to group conversations.
The situation gained further media attention in France, where an arrest warrant claimed that Telegram facilitated money laundering and drug trafficking activities. In India, the platform is under examination for multiple cases of illicit operations, including stock price manipulation and extortion.
For instance, on July 24, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) exposed a racket operating via Telegram that manipulated stock prices, netting the group’s owner ₹20 lakhs in commission. Additionally, two individuals from Bhopal were arrested for tricking a local doctor out of ₹38 lakhs by impersonating police officers. Incidents of leaked examination papers, such as the UGC-NET and NEET-UG, also surfaced in 2023, further implicating Telegram in unlawful activities.
Source: The Hindu, Hindustan Times
Cybersecurity Risks on Telegram
Telegram has become a hotspot for cybercriminals, with reports indicating that illicit goods and services are exchanged on the platform. A cybersecurity firm, Guardio, found that hackers were trading social media accounts, credit card information, and bank logins through Telegram. Furthermore, scammers have been reportedly misusing verified badges to deceive unsuspecting users. Reports mention that tools necessary for executing phishing scams have been sold for as little as $230 on the platform.
Source: PCMag
Most Expensive Telegram Usernames
Telegram usernames have gained remarkable value in recent years, with some being sold for astounding prices on the cryptocurrency-based marketplace, Fragment. The username @news fetched a staggering 994 thousand Toncoin in November 2022, equivalent to approximately $5.81 million as of April 2024. Below is a compiled list of the most valuable Telegram usernames sold:
| Telegram Username | Sale Price |
|---|---|
| @news | $5.81 million |
| @auto | $5.27 million |
| @bank | $4.97 million |
| @avia | $4.68 million |
| @chat | $4.10 million |
| @king | $3.95 million |
| @fifa | $3.51 million |
| @game | $2.93 million |
| @sber | $2.76 million |
| @meta | $2.36 million |
Source: Statista
Telegram Usage Trends
As of 2024, Telegram ranks as the 8th most popular social media platform globally, with a user base of 900 million in April. It has since grown to 950 million and is projected to surpass 1 billion monthly active users within the year. However, the potential for a ban on Telegram in India—home to a significant portion of its users—could negatively impact its global standing. Below is a table displaying Telegram’s position relative to other social media platforms based on monthly active users:
| Social Media Platform | Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 3,065 million | |
| YouTube | 2,504 million |
| 2,000 million | |
| 2,000 million | |
| TikTok | 1,582 million |
| 1,343 million | |
| Facebook Messenger | 1,010 million |
| Telegram | 900 million |
| Snapchat | 800 million |
| Douyin | 755 million |
| Kuaishou | 700 million |
| X/Twitter | 611 million |
| 598 million | |
| 554 million | |
| 498 million |
Telegram’s Standing Among Mobile Messaging Apps
As of April 2024, Telegram ranks fourth among mobile messaging apps, trailing behind WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger. The following table provides an overview of the most popular mobile messaging applications based on their monthly active users:
| Mobile Messaging App | Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 2,000 million | |
| Weixin / WeChat | 1,343 million |
| Facebook Messenger | 1,010 million |
| Telegram | 900 million |
| Snapchat | 800 million |
| 554 million |
Telegram’s Impact on Social Media and Online Communication
As a social media platform, Telegram has carved its niche through a focus on user security, anonymity, and data protection. With its emphasis on messaging, Telegram has effectively filled a gap left by Facebook and other platforms that have prioritized e-commerce and entertainment over private communication.
Future Prospects and Challenges
- Competition in the Digital Realm: Telegram will need to address competition from established platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat, as well as emerging contenders like the Signal Protocol.
- Security and Anonymity: Continuing to ensure user protection and data integrity in an increasingly digitalized world will be paramount to Telegram’s success.
- Monetization Strategies: As Telegram develops its revenue streams, striking a balance between advertising, premium services, and channel creator earnings will be crucial for sustaining growth.
- Expanding Features: The continuous enhancement of features and capabilities to cater to diverse user preferences and needs will be crucial in keeping users engaged.
- Regulatory Challenges: Telegram needs to navigate and comply with evolving regulations and laws governing data privacy and user protection while maintaining its core identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Telegram has emerged as a significant player in the realm of social media and messaging platforms. Its focus on security, anonymity, and user protection has attracted a substantial user base and created a robust ecosystem of channels, groups, and bots.
Through the analysis of various user statistics, financial performance, and growth trajectory, it is evident that Telegram has carved out its unique niche in the digital landscape. However, it will need to continue adapting to the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, addressing both existing and emerging challenges, and innovating features and revenue streams to maintain its position.
As Telegram navigates the complex landscape of social media and digital communication, it will be intriguing to see its future developments, partnerships, and innovations that shape its trajectory in the world of online platforms.