Social Media

Facebook Rules Pakistan’s Digital Space as Youth Drive Explosive Social Media Surge

Pakistan’s social media landscape is exploding, and Facebook sits firmly on the throne. Fresh PTA figures reveal that over 101 million Pakistanis are now on Facebook. This makes it the country’s most dominant social platform in a rapidly shifting digital ecosystem where video reigns supreme and traditional communication tools are being overshadowed.

Close behind is YouTube with 96.62 million users, reflecting Pakistan’s booming appetite for video content, entertainment, and informal learning. WhatsApp is the country’s go-to communication lifeline with 91.75 million users. This underlines its role as the backbone of daily messaging, business communication, and community engagement.

TikTok, despite controversies and periodic scrutiny, has cemented its place with 90.03 million users. This growth is driven by young Pakistanis hungry for short-form content and creative expression.

Instagram continues to grow with 49.9 million users by attracting urban youth, influencers, and small businesses. However, one of the more surprising numbers is Snapchat’s 70.98 million users. This shows its strong pull among teenagers and young adults who prefer more private, ephemeral sharing.

At the bottom of the list sits Twitter, now X, with just 15.3 million users. This reflects its niche appeal for politics, journalists, and policy discussions rather than mass adoption.

How Pakistanis Use Facebook & Other Socials: A Digital Deep Dive

  • Video is king: From YouTube vlogs to TikTok skits, Pakistanis are consuming and producing video content at unprecedented levels.
  • Business is booming: WhatsApp and Instagram have quietly become two of the country’s largest informal marketplaces. They enable home-based entrepreneurs, sellers, and small brands to reach customers.
  • Politics lives on X: While it has the smallest user base, X remains the hotspot for political drama, breaking news, activism, and heated national debates.
  • Youth culture dominates Snapchat & TikTok: Teenagers and twenty-somethings drive trends, memes, and viral content on both platforms.
  • Facebook remains the “digital home” of Pakistan: From buying cars to streaming cricket, joining community groups, finding jobs, and running businesses, Facebook is still the all-purpose platform used across age groups.

A Nation Fully Online & Still Growing

The data underscores a dramatic shift in Pakistan’s digital behaviour. More people are online, consuming more content, and relying on social platforms for everything from entertainment and commerce to public discourse.

Despite economic challenges, Pakistan’s social media footprint continues to expand by reshaping culture, communication, politics, and even the economy itself.