Social media has become an integral part of everyday life for people around the world. Egypt is no exception, with a large portion of the population now using various social platforms. But exactly how many social media users are there in Egypt?
The Current State of Social Media in Egypt
Social media penetration in Egypt has grown rapidly over the past decade. As of January 2023, there were over 57 million social media users in Egypt. This means that over half of the country’s population of 104 million are now active on social platforms.
Facebook remains the most popular platform, with over 54 million users in Egypt as of January 2023. YouTube comes in second place with over 43 million users. Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram also have millions of users each.
The growth in social media adoption has been driven by increasing internet access, especially through mobile devices. Egypt had over 101 million mobile connections by the end of 2022. The proliferation of affordable smartphones has put social media directly in the hands of millions of Egyptians.
Younger generations are driving social media growth, with over 90% of Egyptian internet users aged 15-29 now active on social networks. However, usage is rising fast among older demographics as well.
Social platforms have become part of everyday life and culture in Egypt. They are used for entertainment, news and information, business and commerce, social connection, self-expression, and political discussion.
Breakdown of Leading Social Media Platforms
Here is a more detailed look at user numbers on the top social media platforms in Egypt as of January 2023:
- 54 million users
- 52% penetration rate
- Most popular social media platform
- Widely used by all age groups
- Majority of users access via mobile
YouTube
- 43 million users
- 41% penetration rate
- Second most used platform
- Very popular with younger demographics
- Music, movies, social/political content draw users
- 17 million users
- 16% penetration rate
- Has grown steadily over past 5 years
- Popular with younger and educated demographics
- Used for news, social issues, political discussion
- 15 million users
- 14% penetration rate
- Fast growing social media app in Egypt
- Mostly used by under 30 demographic
- Lifestyle, influencer, and entertainment content
- 32 million users
- 31% penetration rate
- Leading messaging platform
- Used by all age groups
- Popular for private communication and groups
Telegram
- 17 million users
- 16% penetration rate
- Fast growing messaging app
- Used for private chats and public channels
- Popular with younger tech savvy users
Social Media Use by Age Group
There are some notable variations in social media use across different age groups in Egypt:
| Age Group | Percentage Using Social Media |
|---|---|
| 15-29 | 90% |
| 30-49 | 75% |
| Over 50 | 35% |
As these figures show, adoption is overwhelming among Egyptian youth – close to saturation levels. Use declines slightly among 30-49 year olds, who came to social media later. Among the over 50 population, usage remains more limited but is rising each year.
Facebook draws users from all age groups, although younger people engage more actively. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are predominantly used by those under 30.
Gender Breakdown of Social Media Users
There is relatively little gender disparity in social media use in Egypt:
| Gender | Percentage Using Social Media |
|---|---|
| Male | 59% |
| Female | 49% |
As the table shows, a somewhat higher percentage of men use social platforms compared to women. However, the gender gap has been narrowing as mobile internet and smartphone access improves among Egyptian women.
Urban vs Rural Usage
There remains a significant gap in social media usage between urban and rural areas of Egypt:
| Location | Percentage Using Social Media |
|---|---|
| Urban | 65% |
| Rural | 28% |
These figures reflect how the urban population has much better access to internet infrastructure and connected devices. Rural social media penetration is rising but still substantially lagging.
The Future of Social Media in Egypt
Looking ahead, social media usage in Egypt is forecast to grow steadily over the coming years as mobile and internet access continues expanding, especially into rural areas. Here are some predictions:
- Total social media users will rise to over 65 million by 2025
- Facebook will remain the leading platform
- Instagram and TikTok growth will accelerate
- Messaging apps like WhatsApp will be ubiquitous
- E-commerce and digital payments on social media will surge
- Video, live streaming, and short form content will dominate
Social media is transforming culture, business, politics, and society itself in Egypt. It has given a voice to millions, fostered economic opportunities, and opened the country up to the wider world. The platforms may change, but social media itself is here to stay as a central part of Egypt’s present and future.
Conclusion
In 2023, the number of social media users in Egypt stands at over 57 million, representing more than half of the population. Facebook remains the leading platform, with YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram and Telegram also widely used. Adoption rates are nearing saturation among Egyptian youth in urban areas, while steadily rising in rural regions. Social media has become a central part of everyday life, business, politics and society in Egypt. This transformative impact will only expand as increasing internet access propels future growth of social media users across all parts of the country.
