The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released its latest report on the number of social media users in the country as of January 2024.
According to the report, Facebook remains one of the most widely used platforms, with 60.4 million users recorded. Among Facebook users, 77% are male, while female users make up only 24% of the total.
YouTube has emerged as the leading social media platform in Pakistan, with 71.7 million users recorded in January 2024. The gender breakdown shows that male users account for 72%, while female users constitute 28%. The popularity of YouTube highlights its role as a major digital platform in the country for content consumption and creation.
TikTok, a fast-growing video-sharing platform, recorded 54.4 million users across Pakistan. According to PTA data, the platform also reflects a significant gender gap, with 78% of users being male and only 22% female. The platform’s rapid growth indicates its widespread acceptance among younger demographics despite ongoing concerns about content regulation.
Instagram, another key social media platform, reported 17.3 million users by January 2024. Among Instagram users, 64% are male, while 36% are female. This platform, popular among younger users for photo and video sharing, has shown steady growth in recent years.
The PTA report further highlighted efforts to address the digital gender divide in Pakistan. Under the patronage of the Ministry of IT, a strategy has been developed for digital gender inclusion. The PTA, in collaboration with UNESCO, international telecom organizations, civil society, the tech industry, and government institutions, is actively working on removing barriers to women’s digital participation.
The initiative includes a well-defined action plan and timeline aimed at enhancing women’s inclusion in the digital landscape.