WeChat Statistics 2024: Beyond the Numbers

WeChat: An Overview

Established in 2011 by Tencent, WeChat has grown exponentially, evolving from a simple WeChat messenger app to an all-encompassing digital ecosystem. With its extensive repertoire of features, it encompasses messaging, social networking, online shopping, and financial transactions, all within one platform. This super array of functionalities is well reflected into WeChat usage statistics which are astounding.

How many people use WeChat? According to WeChat analytics as of 2024, WeChat boasts over 1.67 billion WeChat monthly active users, indicating a steady growth trajectory. Its popularity is particularly high in its native China, where people consider it synonymous with daily life.

WeChat statistics show that the app has also started making inroads into international markets, with a significant number of WeChat users in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. How many WeChat users are based outside of China?

In the United States alone, WeChat statistics show the app has an average of 19 million daily active WeChat users. In the first half of 2023, United States was the most important new overseas user source for the app with 1.17 million WeChat downloads. Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam demonstrated strong growth as well with the WeChat user count on the rise.

WeChat’s widespread usage is not limited to personal communication. Businesses extensively use the WeChat business platform for brand promotion, customer engagement, and even workplace communication. WeChat official accounts, WeChat mini programs, and WeChat Pay have become integral tools for businesses. This article aims to shed light on these aspects, substantiating them with relevant WeChat statistics for 2024.

WeChat User Statistics & WeChat Demographics

WeChat in China – Monthly and Daily Active Users

• WeChat’s user base has been on a constant upsurge. In 2024, the platform is projected to have over 1.67 billion users worldwide, marking an increase of over 27% from 2022.
• On a daily basis, WeChat sees billions of messages exchanged, indicating the app’s high WeChat usage rate.
• WeChat Moments (“Friends’ circle” in Chinese), a content sharing function akin to Facebook wall, has over 750 million daily users. On average, WeChat users access the platform at least 10 times a day. In a 24-hour period, WeChat Moments receives 10 billion hits. It’s one of the most beloved features by WeChat users.
• WeChat’s search function has 700 million monthly WeChat search user. Sou Yi Sou is a search engine competitor to Baidu.
• WeChat Channels, its video platform rolled out by Tencent in 2020, has over 800 million users. It outnumbered Douyin’s (Chinese TikTok) 680 million and Kuaishou’s 390 million.

📹 What exactly are WeChat Channels

• WeChat’s mini-programs, a set of WeChat mini apps within the WeChat ecosystem, have also seen a surge in daily WeChat active users. By the end of 2024, Tencent expects that WeChat mini-programs will have around 764 million daily active users.

User Demographics – Who are WeChat Users?

• Another big question is who uses WeChat? WeChat’s user demographics present an interesting mix. People of all age groups and locations use WeChat, making it a truly global platform. The WeChat user demographics indicate a strong preference among younger demographics, although the platform is also popular among older users. Nearly 22.7% of total WeChat users are over 51 years old.
• In terms of gender distribution among WeChat users, males slightly outnumber females. Males account for approximately 52.9% of the user base, and females makes up the remaining 47.1%.

• Where is WeChat used? Geographically, China remains the stronghold for WeChat users, housing over two-thirds of its total users. WeChat users in China represent 58.9% of the country’s population, meaning that more than half of China’s population uses WeChat at least once a month.
• Given this number the app has still a big potential to grow and we can expect more WeChat downloads in the coming years.
• However, WeChat users in China is not the only focus, as the platform has also witnessed noticeable growth in international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe, indicating a diverse spread of WeChat users by country.

WeChat Revenue Statistics

WeChat’s revenue model is diverse, leveraging its various features for monetization. WeChat statistics show that the platform’s total revenue for 2024 is projected at a staggering $62 billion. It marks a steady increase from the previous years, contributing significantly to Tencent revenue and boosting WeChat valuation.

WeChat’s major revenue sources include WeChat advertising, WeChat Pay, and mini-programs. Advertising continues to be a dominant revenue source, with brands leveraging the platform’s wide reach for promotion, making it a lucrative part of WeChat business. WeChat Pay, with its integral role in daily transactions, also contributes significantly to Tencent’s revenue. Businesses and individuals widely use mini-programs, offering a variety of services ranging from e-commerce to games, further adding to the revenue.

The Power of WeChat Official Accounts

WeChat Official Accounts play a vital role in the app’s ecosystem and are a key part of WeChat marketing strategies. These accounts serve as platforms for influencers, businesses, and organizations to share content and engage with their audience. By the end of 2024, WeChat is projected to host over 20 million Official Accounts, showcasing the scale of WeChat business.

Interestingly, news and promotions are the two main reasons people follow WeChat’s official accounts. According to WeChat statistics, 74.2% of users cited news as the primary reason they follow any Official Account. On the other hand, 41.9% do so for promotions, highlighting the effectiveness of WeChat marketing.

The power of official accounts extends beyond just user engagement. These platforms also provide a significant revenue stream for WeChat. Brands and influencers leverage these accounts to reach out to their audience. Verification of these accounts incurs a cost, contributing to WeChat’s revenue, thus playing a crucial role in WeChat business and marketing.

➡️ Understanding the Different Types of WeChat Official Accounts: A Comprehensive Guide