In 2021, a survey was conducted in South Africa about the usage of instant messaging applications among different population groups. The findings showed that Black South Africans, the largest population group in the country, were also the largest users of all the instant messaging Apps. White and colored individuals followed, except for the more significant number of Indians/Asians who used Signal compared to the colored population.
Adjust the presentation of the statistic and data points.
Share the statistic on social media channels or embed the statistic in your
website using "Embed Code", where available.
Cite this statistic and select one of the following formats: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA & Bluebook.
Print the statistic including description and metadata.
Chart type
Distribution of instant messaging App users in South Africa in 2021, by population group
Share this statistic
You have no right to use this feature.
Make sure to contact us if you are interested in scientific citation.
You can upgrade your account to enable this functionality for all statistics.
This feature is not available with your current account.Request access
January 18 to May 14 and July 13 to Semptember 31, 2021
Number of respondents
24,666 respondents
Age group
15 years and older
Special properties
The data was collected in two waves
Supplementary notes
TGI/AskAfrika, annually interviews 24,666 respondents aged 15+ living in urban areas with 8,000 or more inhabitants, using a stratified random probability sample. The data is weighted to the South African national statistics service, "Statistics South Africa's" population estimates, which allow for an accurate representation of 27.76 million South Africans.
To ensure a nationally representative sample, the survey is based on enumerated area (EA) sampling.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ornico, & World Wide Worx. (June 30, 2022). Distribution of instant messaging App users in South Africa in 2021, by population group [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1340939/distribution-of-instant-messaging-app-users-in-south-africa-by-population-group/
Ornico, und World Wide Worx. "Distribution of instant messaging App users in South Africa in 2021, by population group." Chart. June 30, 2022. Statista. Accessed October 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1340939/distribution-of-instant-messaging-app-users-in-south-africa-by-population-group/
Ornico, World Wide Worx. (2022). Distribution of instant messaging App users in South Africa in 2021, by population group. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1340939/distribution-of-instant-messaging-app-users-in-south-africa-by-population-group/
Ornico, and World Wide Worx. "Distribution of Instant Messaging App Users in South Africa in 2021, by Population Group." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1340939/distribution-of-instant-messaging-app-users-in-south-africa-by-population-group/
Ornico & World Wide Worx, Distribution of instant messaging App users in South Africa in 2021, by population group Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1340939/distribution-of-instant-messaging-app-users-in-south-africa-by-population-group/ (last visited October 09, 2025)
Distribution of instant messaging App users in South Africa in 2021, by population group [Graph], Ornico, & World Wide Worx, June 30, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1340939/distribution-of-instant-messaging-app-users-in-south-africa-by-population-group/
Advertisement
Profit from additional features with an Employee Account
Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites.
Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.