WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users worldwide. But when it comes to usage, some countries and demographics use WhatsApp more than others. In this article, we’ll take a look at who uses WhatsApp the most based on geography, age, gender, and other factors.
Countries that Use WhatsApp the Most
WhatsApp is truly a global app, but its adoption and usage is higher in some countries compared to others. Here are some of the countries that use WhatsApp the most:
- India – WhatsApp’s biggest market with over 400 million users. WhatsApp usage is ubiquitous across India and it’s the primary messaging app for most people.
- Brazil – 130 million users, with a 90% adoption rate amongst smartphone users. It’s the main communication tool in Brazil.
- Mexico – Over 85% of smartphone users have WhatsApp installed and it has become part of the culture.
- Russia – Around 36 million users as of 2021. Many Russians prefer WhatsApp due to concerns over government surveillance of other apps.
- Turkey – Over 80% of Turkish smartphone owners use WhatsApp. It has overtaken SMS messaging as the primary communications method.
- Malaysia – 32 million users as of 2021. WhatsApp is by far the most dominant messaging platform in Malaysia.
- South Africa – Over 21 million users. WhatsApp is the most popular social media app in South Africa.
- Spain – 36 million users with a penetration rate of over 90% amongst smartphone owners. It’s the main messaging app for Spain.
- Argentina – Used by over 80% of smartphone users, who send 43 billion WhatsApp messages per day.
- Netherlands – 17 million users, making it more widely used than SMS texting.
In these countries, WhatsApp is used for all kinds of daily communication – from chatting with friends and family to communicating with businesses. The high usage is driven by the affordability and convenience of WhatsApp compared to traditional communication methods like SMS.
Age Groups that Use WhatsApp
When it comes to different age groups, WhatsApp sees high usage across all demographics but especially amongst younger users. Here’s a breakdown of WhatsApp usage by age:
- 18-29 – This age group is the biggest user base of WhatsApp. 86% of 18-29 year olds use the app as it’s the default messaging option for most young people.
- 30-49 – 81% of people in this age bracket use WhatsApp daily. It’s convenient for managing both work and personal chats.
- 50-64 – Roughly 73% of 50-64 year olds use WhatsApp as it allows them to keep in touch with family and friends easily.
- 65+ – Around 40% of people over 65 use WhatsApp. It’s slower adoption with this demographic but WhatsApp usage is rising.
As the data shows, WhatsApp has very high adoption rates amongst the 18-49 demographic who are digital natives and rely on messaging apps as their main communication method. Older demographics are joining WhatsApp as well, but have lower adoption rates currently.
WhatsApp Usage by Gender
Looking at gender breakdown, women edge out men in WhatsApp usage globally:
- Women – 54% of WhatsApp users worldwide are women. The ability to chat with groups and share media makes WhatsApp popular with women.
- Men – 46% of users globally are men. Men use WhatsApp primarily for individual chatting rather than group chats.
Some of the factors that influence higher WhatsApp usage amongst women include:
- Group chats – WhatsApp group chats for family, friends, workgroups, etc. are more popular with women.
- Media sharing – Women share more photos and videos on WhatsApp groups and chats than men.
- Communication with children – Mothers use WhatsApp to communicate with their children and schools.
- Part of social life – Chatting and groups on WhatsApp form a bigger part of social life for women.
However, WhatsApp remains extremely popular with both genders worldwide.
Students
WhatsApp sees massive usage among students, especially college students. Around 90% of college students say they use WhatsApp daily. Here’s a more detailed look at how students use WhatsApp:
- Class groups – Official and unofficial class groups are used to share notes, announcements, discuss coursework, organize study sessions etc.
- Group assignments – WhatsApp groups make it easy for students working on group projects to collaborate and communicate.
- Sharing lectures – Students share lecture notes, slides, and voice notes on relevant class chats.
- Making social plans – Students use WhatsApp groups and chats to organize events, parties, and other social activities.
- Cheating – There have been instances of students using WhatsApp to cheat on tests by sharing questions/answers.
The high WhatsApp usage comes from the fact it’s an instant, convenient way for students to communicate with their peers and classmates. Almost all student interactions seem to happen on WhatsApp these days.
Businesses
WhatsApp is not just for personal usage – more and more businesses are using WhatsApp to communicate with customers. Here are some stats on WhatsApp business usage:
- Over 5 million businesses worldwide use WhatsApp Business app
- 80% of small businesses in India use WhatsApp to connect with customers
- 56% of Brazilian businesses use WhatsApp as a sales channel
- Thousands of SMBs across Malaysia, Russia, Spain, and other countries use WhatsApp Business
Restaurants, retailers, personal services, logistics companies and other SMBs are using WhatsApp for activities like:
- Providing customer support on WhatsApp
- Sending purchase receipts, shipping updates to buyers
- Running targeted ad campaigns
- Allowing customers to book appointments or make orders
WhatsApp is fast emerging as a customer engagement and sales channel for businesses focused on emerging markets. The app allows them to directly connect with and support customers.
WhatsApp for Remote Work
WhatsApp has also seen growing usage amongst remote and hybrid teams. 45% of remote workers say they use WhatsApp groups and chats to stay connected with colleagues and co-ordinate work. Key benefits that make WhatsApp popular for remote work include:
- Real-time communication – Teams can chat, send files, share updates instantly
- Group chats – Effective for discussions amongst teams, departments, projects
- Provides informality – The casual style of WhatsApp chats creates stronger relationships
- Cost-effective – No fees or subscription required unlike enterprise tools
As remote work continues to rise, WhatsApp will likely become even more ingrained as a de facto work communication tool.
Government and Public Sector Usage
WhatsApp is being used increasingly by governments and public sector organizations to improve citizen engagement and public service delivery. According to a 2021 survey:
- 52% of government organizations use WhatsApp to communicate with citizens
- 67% of citizens want government services to be available on WhatsApp
Some examples of public sector WhatsApp initiatives include:
- COVID-19 helplines in India, Argentina, and other countries
- India’s MyGov service providing updates and news
- Police departments providing crime alerts
- Hospitals sharing appointment updates and reminders
By utilizing WhatsApp as an additional engagement channel, government agencies and public organizations can reach more citizens directly and cost-effectively.
Conclusion
WhatsApp has become the de-facto messaging app for billions of people worldwide. While it has high adoption across all demographics, the leading WhatsApp user groups include younger people, women, students, businesses, remote workers, and emerging market countries. With its convenience, utility, and real-time communication capabilities, WhatsApp usage continues to grow globally for both personal and professional needs.