From Cristiano Ronaldo to Selena Gomez and Kardashians, these are the most-followed Instagram accounts in the world.

Instagram has come a long way since it launched back in 2010. Once a simple photo-sharing app, IG has evolved into many things: a way to keep in touch with old friends; a place to start new flings; a portfolio for creatives of all kinds to showcase their work; a battleground for social justice; a shopping and e-commerce platform; a gallery of whatever NFTs are. Ultimately, Instagram has become a mirror of what we care about, which we’re reminded of every time we log in by the all-seeing Algorithm™.

The app has even helped to create a new kind of celebrity. Instagram influencers have changed the way we scroll, the way we get entertained — and even the way brands sell things to us. However, when it comes to the biggest names on Instagram, we see some fairly usual suspects. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo recently became the first human to break the 600 million mark, with Lionel Messi not far behind. Furthermore, Instagram’s own profile amassed half a billion, pop stars continued trading places and yet another Kardashian entered the top ten.

For your benefit, we’ve rounded up the 20 most-followed Instagram accounts in the world. They’re the ones that keep us logging in and coming back for more. And while you’re here, drop a follow for Lifestyle Asia — every follow counts, right?

The most-followed Instagram accounts in the world in 2024:

Followers: 674 million

Instagram has the most-followed account of them all, boasting over 500 million followers. Of its 7,700+ posts, many feature popular, creative or attention-worthy creators, like @sharawangsamulia (above), Insta-famous mini-pig Pua and global superstar model and actress of Squid Game fame, Hoyeon Jung. Even virtual influencers, like Imma (@imma.gram) get some shine.

Net worth: Instagram is estimated to be worth more than USD 100 billion.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

Followers: 632 million

Age: 39

Residence: Portugal

Just look how happy he is. But you would be, too, if you were Cristiano Ronaldo. And even more so if you were Cristiano Ronaldo and you became the only human to break 500 million followers on Instagram. To put that into scale, if CR7’s ‘Gram were a country, it would be the third most populated in the world after China and India, and just ahead of the United States. Another day, another goal for Ronaldo.

Net worth: The footballer boasts a massive net worth of reportedly USD 650 million, making him one of the highest-earning athletes in the world. Apart from football, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner earns impressive paycheques from his lifetime deal with Nike, CR7-branded clothing, accessories, hotels, gyms and whatnot. Currently, the Portugal star is playing his last Euro Cup and has successfully helped his team reach the quarterfinals.

Followers: 503 million

Age: 37

Residence: Rosario, Argentina

From Ronaldo’s rival on the pitch to Ronaldo’s rival on the ‘Gram. The Argentine footballer has proven himself quite adept at social media as well, chasing Cristiano Ronaldo now at the #2 spot.

Messi is currently participating in Copa America with the aim of retaining the title won back in 2021. The footballer is going through a rough 2024, dealing with injuries throughout the year.

Net worth: Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers of all time, boasting an estimated net worth of around USD 600 million as of 2024 and has earned around USD 1.15 billion in his career so far.

Followers: 426 million

Age: 31

Residence: Texas, United States

While Selena Gomez has been open about avoiding social media, she has been the fastest climber on the list as of late. Her shoots, plandids and candids make excellent content for her feed, while Gomez uses her platform for good, talking openly about mental health and encouraging followers to educate themselves on the importance of mental fitness.

She’ll now be reprising her role as Alex in the reboot of the hit Disney show, Wizards of Waverly Place. The upcoming spinoff, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, is set to release on Disney Channel and Disney+ later this year.

Net worth: Did you know Selena has a whopping net worth of around USD million, according to multiple reports. Apart from her successful singing and acting stint, the artist mints millions with her business ventures like Rare Beauty and Wondermind. She’s also onboard as an executive producer on various shows including 13 Reasons Why and Only Murders in the Building.

Followers: 399 million

Age: 26

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Kylie Jenner became the first woman to break 300 million followers on Instagram. However, that probably pales in comparison to being named the youngest “self-made” billionaire in 2019 by Forbes. But Jenner — of Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Skin, Kylie Swim, Kylie Baby and more — continues on. Currently, Kylie’s making all the buzz for her relationship with Dune hitmaker Timothee Chalamet.

Net worth: In recent times though, the reality star has been stripped of her billionaire status. As of 2024, her net worth reportedly stands at USD 900 million.

6. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (@therock)

Followers: 396 million

Age: 52

Residence: Hayward, California

He’s the People’s Champ; what did you expect? The number six spot goes to Hollywood movie star, tequila mogul, future presidential candidate (?) and former WWE champ, The Rock. He has built his ever-increasing following with a highly motivating feed of life and workout inspiration, plus the occasional tequila shot.

The actor will be returning to the big screen with films like Red One and Moana 2 in the pipeline.

Net worth: From wrestling to the big screen, combined with smart business investments, have resulted in The Rock accumulating a net worth of around USD 800 million as of 2024.

Followers: 378 million

Age: 31

Residence: Boca Raton, Florida

Ariana Grande has given her fans plenty of reason to follow along in recent years. With a feed filled with teasers of what she’s got in the works, plus glimpses into her personal life, there’s plenty more to expect from this star.

Ariana is currently gearing up for the release of her much-awaited movie, Wicked, slated to be released in November this year, around the same time as Disney’s Moana 2.

Net worth: As of 2024, the singer has a speculated net worth of around USD 240 million – thanks to her chart-topping songs and record-breaking albums.

Followers: 364 million

Age: 43

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Controlling the spotlight in everything she does, it’s no surprise to see Kim Kardashian in the top ten. Although KUWTK finished its culture-shifting run, the premiere of The Kardashians means we’ll still be seeing plenty of Kim on all of our screens.

Net worth: The Kardashian star is a billionaire, flaunting a net worth of around USD 1.7 billion as of 2024. Keeping aside all her TV projects, Kim is building the majority of her net worth through business ventures like KKW Beauty SKKN and Skims.

9. Beyoncé Knowles (@beyonce)

Followers: 319 million

Age: 42

Residence: Houston

Hey, Ms. Carter. There will only ever be one Beyoncé. The ultimate multi-hyphenate changed the way artists release music forever with Lemonade, and Queen Bey has found a way to toe the line between larger-than-life superstardom while still giving us the occasional intimate glimpse into her and her family’s world through social media.

In 2023, the singer embarked on the Renaissance World Tour, which followed her blockbuster 2022 album, Renaissance. It marked the singer’s return to the music scene after six long years.

Net worth: Queen Bey’s net worth as of 2024 is easily around USD 800 million. Record-breaking album sales and sold-out world tours make up the bulk of Beyoncé’s fortune.

Followers: 308 million

Age: 40

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Welcome, Khloe. Naturally, it took a Kardashian to finally bump many OG social media stars from their top 10 spots. And with 292 million followers on the most followed Instagram accounts list — Kendall isn’t far behind.

Net worth: Another Kardashian queen, Khloe has a reported net worth of USD 60 million. Apart from social media endorsements and TV ventures, she earns a good deal with her fashion brand Good American.

11. Nike (@nike)

Followers: 305 million

Being the second-largest corporate account after Instagram’s in-house account, Nike is a masterclass in running a successful performance. With high-quality posts and a strong theme, the brand overtook former runner-up National Geographic. This has made Nike the world’s eleventh most popular Instagram account, beating celebrities like Khloe Kardashian and Miley Cyrus. 

Net worth: Nike has a market cap or net worth of USD 114.78 billion as of July 2024.

Followers: 294 million

Age: 28

Residence: Los Angeles, California, United States

The reality TV star and model Kendall Jenner is social media’s most popular model. And that’s not the only nod Jenner received. She’s also the most ‘buzzed about’ model, which means she garnered the highest number of mentions or tags in captions and comments. 

Kendall not only has a large fanbase from the show, but she has also landed campaigns for Givenchy and Balmain while becoming the face of Estée Lauder. To her credit, though, Kendall has mastered the art of ad posts that double as posts you genuinely want to double-tap. 

Currently, Kendall is garnering all the paparazzi’s attention owing to her relationship with Bad Bunny. The duo is always setting the internet ablaze with their gorgeous pictures.

Net worth: Similar to her sister Khloe Kardashian, Kendall also has a net worth of around USD 60 million. While she may not be the richest Kardashian sister, she’s still the highest-paid model in the world.

Followers: 293 million

Age: 30

Residence: Canada

It has been almost two decades since Justin Bieber debuted, and fans and followers still flock to him in droves. Bieber, who rose to fame with his 2009 debut EP My World, has no signs of slowing down. Instead, the singer has gone from strength to strength, releasing many studio albums, winning two Grammy awards, 26 Billboard Music Awards, and 23 Teen Choice Awards.

His Instagram feed is a mix of snapshots of him recording music, his married life with Hailey Baldwin Bieber, shoutouts to his native Canada and stream-of-consciousness musings on spirituality. His genuine, self-confident approach to social media is hugely refreshing after his tumultuous teen years.

Net worth: The Baby hitmaker has a reported net worth of USD 300 million as of 2024. While not active in the music scene, Bieber and his Mrs. are all set to embrace parenthood after Hailey announced her pregnancy in May this year.

14. National Geographic (@natgeo)

Followers: 284 million

National Geographic is celebrating a milestone with over 250 million followers on Instagram. Nat Geo’s Instagram’s creative control is mainly in the hands of the contributing photographers who share the rare and incredible sights they encounter daily. The stunning images paired with photographers’ captions bring authenticity to the account. National Geographic has set a bar for visual storytelling that brings the world closer together.

Followers: 281 million

Age: 34 years

Residence: Pennsylvania

If you doubt Taylor Swift’s world domination, prepare to shake it off. The international pop star, who’s in the business of breaking records, has cemented that top tier’ gram status with over 260 million followers. However, Swift’s secret may be a blend of adorable cat photos, her sweater selfies, and shots of her super-famous squad. Swift’s grid has major artistic vibes, with lots of vintage photos. She’s also a master of posting concert shots, campaign photos, and music video promos.

Taylor, who’s currently making all the headlines on her Eras Tour, is dating Travis Kelce. The duo’s oozing chemistry is to die for.

Net worth: Another billionaire on the block, Taylor’s reported net worth is a whopping USD 1.3 billion as of 2024. Her impressive music catalogue, money from royalties and touring make up most of her net worth portfolio.

Followers: 269 million

Age: 35

Residence: Delhi, India

Virat Kohli has created history again by becoming the first Indian to achieve 250 million followers on Instagram. With this feat, he becomes the third sportsperson with the most followers on Instagram, behind footballing legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In addition, the cricketer keeps fans up to date on his workout routine, which is a huge draw. 

Virat and the Indian Cricket Team recently won the T20 World Cup, India’s first World Cup win after 13 years. He also announced his retirement from the T20 format, leaving millions of fans heartbroken.

Net worth: The former captain of the Indian cricket team not only led India to many victories over the years but also built a successful brand with multi-million-dollar endorsement deals. His 2024 net worth is estimated to be around USD 126 million. Apart from cricket earnings, Virat earns his wealth from business ventures like One8, WROGN and more.

17. Jennifer Lopez (@jlo)

Followers: 252 million

Age: 54

Residence: The Bronx, New York City

We’ve said it before, and we’ll repeat it: All hail Queen J Lo! With a career spanning more than two decades, J.Lo is the GOAT. The Jenny from the Block singer has repeatedly proved why she’s a role model to millions, and the 245 million followers on social media are proof. J.Lo often treats her fans with her drool-worthy vacation pictures and gives insights into her wellness routine. We surely can’t get enough of the megastar.

Lopez is making all the buzz currently with her divorce speculations. Reports are rife that the singer and Ben Affleck have called it quits after their wedding in 2022.

Net worth: The singer boasts an impressive net worth of around USD 400 million which comes from movie deals, album sales, diverse real estate and investment portfolios as well as business deals with various brands.

Followers: 229 million

Age: 41

Residence: St. James, Trinidad and Tobago

Three words: Nicki freakin’ Minaj. The rapper is already a hip-hop icon, but her incredible Instagram achievement only adds to her legendary status.

Minaj has used social media to her advantage throughout her career — especially Instagram. Take the iconic single artwork for her Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit “Anaconda,” or the bootylicious cover that instantly became a viral meme on the platform. 

Net worth: The rapper’s net worth in 2024 is estimated at USD 150 million. Apart from her music earnings, Minaj gets fat paycheques through various endorsements and product lines.

Followers: 223 million

Age: 45

Residence: Los Angeles, California, United States

When it comes to social media, no family has cultivated a following quite as large as the Kardashians. The Kardashians have amassed over a billion Instagram followers, so it is no wonder that Kourtney ranks in the top 20 of the most-followed Instagram accounts worldwide. The mother of three and oldest Kardashian always looks luxe AF. Kourtney’s feed embodies the “Instagram” lifestyle, complete with pools, mansions, private jets, and Birkins than you’ve seen in your life. 

Net worth: Her current net worth is reported to be USD 65 million. While most of it comes from KUWTK and Hulu’s The Kardashians salary, Kourtney also earns from endorsement deals and her Poosh blog. 

Followers: 222 million

Age: 32

Residence: Brazil

One of the most expensive footballers of all time, Neymar has become a household name since he emerged as a teenager at Santos FC. With a whopping 218 million followers on Instagram, the superstar from Brazil is enjoying life at PSG.

All eyes were on Neymar recently after the footballer remained absent from Brazil’s match against Colombia in Copa América. The former Barcelona star suffered a serious knee injury last October and hasn’t played since.

Net worth: Neymar has a reported net worth of USD 250 million as of 2024. The figure mostly comes from his football earnings and lucrative deals with brands like Puma and Nike.

While you’re here, check out the most liked Instagram posts of all time.

Lead Image: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images