Social media use in 2021

April 10, 2021 | by Julian L. Mertz | No comments

April 10, 2021

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Social media use in 2021

Roughly seven-in-ten Americans say they ever use any kind of social media site – a share that has remained relatively stable over the past five years. YouTube and Facebook continue to dominate the online landscape, as 81% and 69% of U.S. adults, respectively, report ever using these sites. YouTube and Reddit were the only two platforms measured that saw statistically significant growth since 2019. Certain sites or apps, most notably Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, have an especially strong following among young adults.

Partisan differences in social media use show up for some platforms, but not Facebook
Fact sheets: Social media | Internet | Mobile

A person pins a 2020 button on their jacket.

Confronting 2016 and 2020 polling limitations

The 2016 and 2020 elections raised questions about the state of public opinion polling. Pew Research Center is working to understand why polls have underestimated GOP support and what adjustments may need to be made. In a new report, the Center looks at what we’ve learned about the American Trends Panel, our online survey panel of more than 10,000 U.S. adults; how well it represents the entire U.S. population; and how it could be improved.

The U.S. Asian population is projected to pass 35 million by 2060

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S.

Asian Americans recorded the fastest population growth rate among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States between 2000 and 2019. The Asian population in the U.S. grew 81% during that span, from roughly 10.5 million to a record 18.9 million. By 2060, the number of U.S. Asians is projected to rise to 35.8 million, more than triple their 2000 population.

Pressing China on human rights – even if it hurts economic relations – has Americans’ bipartisan support

A large majority of Americans – Republican and Democrat alike – say the U.S. should try to promote human rights in China, even if it harms economic relations between the two countries. Seven-in-ten U.S. adults hold this view compared with just 26% who think the U.S. should prioritize strengthening economic relations with China, even if it means not addressing human rights. Unlike with other China-related issues, there is little partisan difference on this question: 72% of Republicans are in favor of emphasizing human rights, as are 69% of Democrats.

The changing face of America’s veteran population

There are around 19 million U.S. veterans as of this year, representing less than 10% of the total U.S. adult population. Gulf War-era veterans now account for the largest share of all U.S. veterans, having surpassed Vietnam-era veterans in 2016. The demographic profile of veterans is expected to change in the next quarter century to include an increasing share of women and is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse.

Far fewer members of Congress now have direct military experience than in the past

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From our research

48%

The share of U.S. 18- to 29-year-olds who use TikTok.

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