5 min read
WhatsApp has grown beyond a simple messaging app to become an essential digital lifeline for billions of users. Its deep integration into daily life highlights how indispensable the platform has become for personal, social, and business communication worldwide. With about 98.3 million accounts, Pakistan ranks 7th globally, representing 2.84% of all WhatsApp users worldwide. This places the country alongside major markets like India, Indonesia, and Brazil, reflecting the widespread adoption of the app across different segments of society.
WhatsApp remains one of the most deeply entrenched communication tools in Pakistan. But while it connects millions, the platform is also becoming a major battleground for fraudsters. According to recent data, Pakistan is among the top 10 countries by number of WhatsApp accounts: about 98.3 million accounts. Here’s a table showing how Pakistan compares to other countries:
TOP 10 COUNTRIES RANKED BY NUMBER OF WHATSAPP ACCOUNTS
| Rank | Country | Accounts | Global Share | Android (%) | iOS (%) | Picture (%) | About Text (%) | Business (%) | Companions (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 749,075,246 | 21.67% | 95 | 5 | 62.2 | 29.5 | 9.8 | 6.2 |
| 2 | Indonesia | 235,245,077 | 6.81% | 92 | 8 | 49.1 | 27.5 | 10.7 | 9.3 |
| 3 | Brazil | 206,949,224 | 5.99% | 81 | 19 | 61.1 | 41.5 | 10.3 | 15.5 |
| 4 | United States | 137,859,284 | 3.99% | 33 | 67 | 44.0 | 32.8 | 2.4 | 6.1 |
| 5 | Russia | 132,855,022 | 3.84% | 76 | 24 | 61.7 | 33.5 | 3.6 | 9.4 |
| 6 | Mexico | 128,324,166 | 3.71% | 82 | 18 | 46.1 | 23.3 | 4.1 | 11.7 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 98,277,665 | 2.84% | 95 | 5 | 58.5 | 20.0 | 21.7 | 5.4 |
| 8 | Germany | 74,565,425 | 2.16% | 58 | 42 | 51.0 | 35.4 | 2.2 | 13.4 |
| 9 | Türkiye | 72,131,903 | 2.09% | 73 | 27 | 48.0 | 33.4 | 3.0 | 12.0 |
| 10 | Egypt | 69,317,806 | 2.01% | 90 | 10 | 53.2 | 25.1 | 11.3 | 6.1 |
Summary:
- Total accounts among top 10 countries: 1,552,021,571
- Share of global WhatsApp users: 44.90%
- Global total accounts (245 countries): 3,456,622,389
The table highlights the distribution of WhatsApp accounts globally, showing the total number of users, platform preference (Android vs iOS), and usage patterns such as profile pictures, “About” text, business accounts, and companion features.
Global Context
Out of approximately 3.46 billion WhatsApp users worldwide, the top 10 countries account for 1.55 billion users, or 44.9% of all WhatsApp accounts. This indicates that nearly half of the global WhatsApp user base is concentrated in just 10 countries.
India: The Largest WhatsApp Market
India leads by a significant margin with 749 million accounts, making up 21.67% of the global WhatsApp user base. Android dominates in India with 95% of users, compared to only 5% on iOS. This reflects India’s strong preference for Android devices due to affordability and market availability.
In terms of profile features:
- 62.2% of Indian users have profile pictures.
- 29.5% use “About” text, which indicates a moderate level of personalization in user profiles.
- 9.8% are business accounts, reflecting the growing trend of WhatsApp as a commercial platform.
- 6.2% utilize companions or connected apps/features, showing limited use beyond messaging.
Pakistan: Smaller But Unique User Base
Pakistan ranks 7th globally with 98 million accounts, contributing 2.84% of the global WhatsApp population. Similar to India, Android dominates with 95%, leaving just 5% for iOS, showing a parallel device preference pattern.
- Profile pictures are used by 58.5%, slightly lower than in India, meaning about 57–58 million Pakistanis display profile images.
- “About” text usage is at 20%, roughly 20 million users, which is low compared to India’s 29.5%, showing less profile customization.
- Business accounts are significant at 21.7%, translating to about 21 million users, which is a far higher proportion than in India. This shows that WhatsApp in Pakistan is widely used for commercial communication.
- The Companions feature is at 5.4%, indicating limited adoption of additional tools.
Muslim-Majority Countries in the Top 10
Five Muslim-majority countries appear in the top 10: Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, and, to some extent, the regional context of other Muslim-majority users.
- Indonesia has 235 million accounts, about 6.81% of the global share. Android usage is 92% and iOS 8%, with profile pictures at 49.1%, “About” text at 27.5%, business accounts at 10.7%, and companions at 9.3%. This shows Indonesia has a younger or more casual user base with moderate personalization.
- Türkiye: 72 million users (2.09% global share), Android 73%, iOS 27%, profile pictures 48%, “About” 33.4%, business 3%, companions 12%. Türkiye shows a more balanced device split but fewer business users.
- Egypt: 69 million users (2.01% global share), Android 90%, iOS 10%, profile pictures 53.2%, “About” 25.1%, business 11.3%, companions 6.1%. Egypt resembles Pakistan in profile picture usage but has fewer business accounts proportionally.
Comparing these Muslim-majority countries, Pakistan stands out for its high proportion of business accounts (21.7%) and relatively lower-profile text usage. Indonesia and Egypt have lower business adoption but moderate personalization in profiles. Türkiye has higher iOS usage than the other Muslim-majority countries, reflecting a stronger premium device market.
Other Top Countries
United States: 137 million users, iOS dominant (67%), Android only 33%, fewer profile pictures (44%) and “About” text (32.8%), reflecting a less personalized approach but higher iOS adoption.
Brazil and Russia: Android-dominated, high-profile picture and “About” text usage, indicating more engaged social behavior.
Why China is Missing
China does not appear in the top WhatsApp rankings. This is because WhatsApp is banned in China. The country uses its own domestic apps like WeChat for messaging, payments, and business communication. Chinese users rely almost entirely on local platforms, which are integrated into daily life for both personal and commercial activities.
Key Observations
- Device Preference Gap: Android dominates most countries, particularly in South Asia (India and Pakistan) and Muslim-majority countries. iOS is more popular in the U.S., Germany, and Türkiye.
- Profile Customization: India and Russia show the highest use of profile pictures and “About” text, reflecting more active personalization. Pakistan lags in text usage but leads in business adoption.
- Business Adoption: Pakistan has an unusually high ratio of business users for its size, indicating strong WhatsApp business penetration.
- Companion Features: Mostly low across all countries, with Türkiye showing higher usage (12%).
The table illustrates global disparities in WhatsApp adoption and usage patterns. While India dominates in total users and engagement, Pakistan shows strong business adoption despite fewer users. Muslim-majority countries vary widely, but Android remains dominant, and customization habits differ. China is notably absent due to restrictions, relying on domestic platforms instead.
WhatsApp Usage in Pakistan: The Safety and Financial Risks
In Pakistan, WhatsApp users face a growing wave of scams, including account hijacking through code phishing, fake investment schemes, crypto fraud, and impersonation, with the Digital Rights Foundation reporting hundreds of fraud cases in 2025 alone. Meta suspended 6.8 million accounts linked to such networks, while the Securities and Exchange Commission warned about fraudulent investment groups.
These scams cost the country over $9 billion annually, about 2.5% of GDP. Authorities like the PTA advise enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring devices, and reporting suspicious activity, but high-level protections, such as the newly introduced secure phone for government officials, remain out of reach for ordinary users. This highlights the urgent need for broader public cybersecurity awareness and safeguards.
