Why you need to include APAC social data in your listening strategy
By Laura DelgadilloMay 27
YouTube has come a long way since its launch in 2005.
What started as a simple video-sharing platform has transformed into the world's second-largest search engine and a cultural powerhouse that shapes how billions of people consume content daily.
Whether you're a marketer looking to tap into YouTube's massive audience, a creator hoping to grow your channel, or simply curious about the platform's incredible reach, these 23 statistics paint a fascinating picture of YouTube in 2025. Let's dive in.
YouTube usage statistics
YouTube is the world's second most visited site after Google.
YouTube is the second most used social media platform with 2.5 billion monthly active users worldwide.
YouTube has approximately 2.7 billion monthly active users.
Over 500 hours of video content are uploaded to YouTube every minute.
Users worldwide watch over 1 billion hours of YouTube videos every day on their televisions alone.
Around 5 billion YouTube videos are watched every day.
84% of US adults report that they use YouTube.
Half of US adults use YouTube daily.
Most viewed videos and channels
As of January 2026:
- "Baby Shark Dance" by Pinkfong is the most viewed video on YouTube with over 16 billion views. It was the first video to surpass 10 billion views in January 2022.
- "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee is the second most viewed video with 8.9 billion views.
- "Wheels on the Bus" by Cocomelon is the third most viewed video with 8.5 billion views.
The first video to hit one million views was a Nike advert featuring Ronaldinho in November 2005.
Gangnam Style by PSY became the first video to reach one billion views on YouTube in December 2012.
MrBeast is the most subscribed channel on YouTube with over 450 million subscribers as of November 2025.
T-Series is the second most subscribed channel, followed by kids' favorite Cocomelon.
YouTube demographics
India has the highest number of YouTube users in the world with an estimated 500 million users.
The United States has the second highest number of YouTube users with 254 million.
According to Pew Research, over half of all US adults use Youtube. Broken down by age group:
- 95% of 18-29-year-olds say they use YouTube
- 92% of 30-49-year-olds say they use YouTube
- 85% of 50-64-year-olds say they use YouTube
- 64% of people 65+ say they use YouTube
The same research showed that 86% of men and 83% of women who are US adults say they use Youtube.
Conclusion
YouTube's evolution from a simple video-sharing site to a global entertainment and education powerhouse is remarkable. With billions of users, millions of creators, and endless hours of content, the platform continues to shape how we consume media, learn new skills, and connect with others around the world.
These statistics reveal a platform that's more than just cat videos and music clips. It's a space where creators can build careers, where businesses can reach massive audiences, and where people of all ages find entertainment, education, and community.
As YouTube continues to innovate with features like Shorts, Premium subscriptions, and enhanced monetization options, one thing is clear: the platform's influence on digital culture isn't slowing down anytime soon.