(ANS – Rome) – If it were an independent nation, Facebook would be in third place after China and India in terms of population. It would be a superpower at world level which could aspire to a permanent seat on UN Security Council.

The Wall Street Journal has published some data on the population of the social network founded by Mark Zuckerberg.  On 31st March this year, Facebook had 901 million users active during the month, 33% higher than the 680 million on 31st March 2011. The data was obtained from documentation provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in view of the launch of the social network on the Stock Exchange.

Facebook has a population three times greater than that of the United States. Compared with the two superpowers on the planet in a demographic, but also an economic sense, Facebook has 300 millions citizens less than India and about 400 million less than China. The data sent to the SEC show a constant increase in the number of users. During 2011 Facebook saw a growth of 72 million users (11.9%) in the first quarter, of 59 million (8.7%) in the second, 61 million (8.2%) in the third and  45 million (5.6%) in the fourth quarter. In the first quarter of 2012 the increase was 56 million (6.6%).

These figures, from just one social network, demonstrate how the ‘digital continent’, without geographical borders, has a real existence. The world of commerce is well aware of this: the launch of Facebook on the stock exchange was welcomed with enthusiasm.

Published 07/05/2012