The Rise of Social Media in the UK: A Statistical Snapshot
- Elina Strautmane CMktr
- May 24, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 27, 2024
Social media has become an integral part of daily life for millions of people across the United Kingdom. From keeping in touch with friends and family to discovering new products and services, social platforms have transformed how we communicate, consume information, and interact with businesses.
In this blog post, we'll delve into the latest statistics that highlight the rise of social media in the UK.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 92% of adults aged 16 to 44 years in the UK were active social media users in 2022, a significant increase from 88% in 2020. This trend extends across all age groups, with 83% of adults aged 45 to 54 using social media, up from 78% in 2020 (Source: ONS, Internet access - households and individuals, 2022).
When it comes to the most popular social media platforms, Facebook remains the frontrunner, with 71% of UK adults using the platform in 2022, according to Ofcom's Online Nation report.
However, Ofcom's (2022) data also showed that other platforms are rapidly gaining ground, with Instagram claiming 46% of UK adults as users, and TikTok capturing 34% of the adult population.
But let's remember that the rise of social media is not limited to personal use. Businesses across the UK have embraced these platforms as powerful marketing and customer engagement tools. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) reports that 73% of businesses in the UK used social media for business purposes in 2022, up from 66% in 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in accelerating social media adoption. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, many individuals and businesses turned to social platforms to stay connected, access information, and conduct business online.
As noted in their 2022 report mentioned above, according to Ofcom, the average time spent online by UK adults increased by nearly an hour per day during the pandemic.
As social media continues to evolve and new platforms emerge, it's clear that this trend shows no signs of slowing down in the UK. Businesses that effectively leverage social media for marketing, customer service, and brand building will be well-positioned to connect with their target audiences and stay competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.
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