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:
| 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:
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.
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.