TikTok has catapulted to an unprecedented 200 million monthly users across Europe by mid-2025, cementing its position as one of the continent’s most influential social media platforms. This milestone represents significant growth from the 175 million users reported in 2024, adding approximately 25 million new European users in just twelve months. With this expansion, the platform now reaches roughly one in every three Europeans, with the United Kingdom accounting for 30 million users.
The platform’s meteoric rise continues to be driven primarily by younger demographics, particularly teenagers and Gen Z users aged 18-24, who utilize the app for entertainment, skill development, and increasingly, economic opportunities. Cultural phenomena like #BookTok have reshaped youth engagement with literature, with 59% of European youths aged 16-25 reporting increased reading habits due to TikTok content. Additionally, about 25% of teens globally access STEM-related educational content on the platform weekly.
TikTok’s economic impact across Europe has become increasingly significant. Small and medium enterprises operating on the platform contribute an estimated €4.8 billion to the economies of Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium while supporting over 51,000 jobs. In the UK market alone, more than 1.5 million businesses maintain a TikTok presence, generating approximately £1.6 billion for the economy and supporting 32,000 jobs. The platform’s innovative recommender system helps businesses reach new customers without requiring a large existing following. Musicians are increasingly using the platform to develop diverse income streams through merchandise sales and fan engagement opportunities.
Despite this remarkable growth, TikTok continues to navigate a complex regulatory landscape in Europe. In May 2025, the EU’s lead privacy authority levied a €530 million fine against the company for alleged data transfer violations related to China, a penalty TikTok is currently appealing. The platform has responded with substantial investments in compliance measures, including data localization initiatives aimed at addressing European privacy concerns. Musical artists are increasingly leveraging TikTok’s royalty structures to maximize earnings while expanding their audience reach across the platform.
As TikTok’s European user base of 200 million contributes substantially to its global monthly active user count of 1.59 billion, the platform’s partnerships with cultural events like Cannes Festival and sporting events such as Euro 2024 further strengthen its integration into European society. The recent expansion of the SoundOn music distribution service into Germany demonstrates TikTok’s commitment to enhancing content creation opportunities across the region.
