Explore humanity

How many people are doing this right now?

Explore what people are doing around the world: sleeping, working, driving, eating and more. Find a live estimate and see how it is calculated. Every page explains its assumptions, uncertainty and sources.

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Showing all 102 estimates.

Daily Life

22 estimates

AwakePeople estimated to be awake, calculated as the world population minus the sleeping estimate.

Brushing Their TeethAccess and habits vary globally.

CleaningPeople doing routine household cleaning, distributed across local daytime hours.

CookingPeople preparing food or cleaning up after meals, weighted toward local meal times.

Doing LaundryHow many people are doing laundry right now? Explore an active-laundry estimate based on time-use diaries, country populations and local household routines.

Drinking CoffeeActive coffee-drinking moments derived from the latest intergovernmental consumption total.

Drinking TeaIncludes hot and iced tea.

Drinking WaterCounts short drinking moments across a day.

EatingPeople eating a meal or snack, weighted toward local meal times.

Grocery ShoppingHow many people are grocery shopping right now? Follow a food-shopping simulation using diary-based daily time and population-weighted local hours.

Listening to MusicPeople estimated to be listening to music at this moment across devices and places.

On a Phone CallHow many people are on a phone call right now? Explore a personal-call estimate from time-use diaries, including its distinction from call connections.

ReadingPeople estimated to be reading books, magazines or long-form text right now.

Sending MessagesShort person-to-person digital messages.

ShoppingPeople shopping in person, distributed across local daytime and retail hours.

ShoweringPeople taking a shower, weighted toward local morning and evening routines.

SleepingPeople likely to be asleep, with local night-time weighted across the world.

Taking A PhotoPhone and camera photographs.

Taking A SelfieA short self-portrait moment.

Taking A Work BreakShort breaks during work or study.

Using the ToiletA broad estimate of how many people are using a toilet or sanitation place right now.

WorkingPaid work modelled from local hours, weekends and official 2026 calendars, with dedicated data for the fifteen most populous countries and EU-27.

Digital Life

18 estimates

Checking EmailReading and writing email.

GamingMobile, console and computer gaming combined.

Listening To A PodcastAudio and video podcast listening.

On A Video CallWork, study, family and social calls.

OnlinePeople likely to be actively using an internet-connected service.

Playing Mobile GamesHow many people are playing mobile games right now? Explore a global player-pool simulation with explicit daily participation and playing-time assumptions.

Posting On Social MediaCreating a post, story or comment.

Reading The NewsNews across web, apps, print and television.

Scrolling Social MediaAcross major social feeds.

Shopping OnlineBrowsing or buying from online stores.

Streaming A MovieFeature-length films on streaming services.

Using A Dating AppAdults browsing or messaging on dating apps.

Using A Search EngineShort search sessions throughout the day.

Using AIHow many people are using AI right now? See a transparent ChatGPT-anchored scenario with weekly-user conversion, assumed session time and limitations.

Watching ReelsShort-form viewing on Instagram Reels.

Watching TikTokShort-form viewing on TikTok.

Watching TV / StreamingPeople watching television, films or streaming video.

Watching YouTubeHow many people are watching YouTube right now? Explore a watch-time-based audience simulation, distinct from monthly reach and live-stream viewers.

Health & Activity

17 estimates

At The DentistDental examinations and treatment.

Being BornA UN-based estimate of how many babies are being born worldwide in the current second.

Donating BloodPeople estimated to be in the active blood-collection stage right now worldwide.

Drinking AlcoholAdults consuming alcoholic drinks.

Drinking An Energy DrinkA broad adult and older-teen assumption.

Drinking SodaSugar-sweetened and diet soft drinks.

Dying Right NowA UN-based model of how many deaths occur worldwide in the current second.

Eating Fast FoodQuick-service restaurant food.

ExercisingRunning, gym sessions, sports and other intentional exercise.

GamblingLotteries, betting, casinos and online gambling.

Having a HeadachePeople estimated to be experiencing a headache at this moment worldwide.

In A HospitalInpatient presence across a full day.

Seeing A DoctorOutpatient and primary-care encounters.

SmokingActive smoked-tobacco moments derived from an annual cigarette-equivalent consumption baseline.

Taking MedicinePrescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Undergoing SurgeryPeople estimated to be undergoing an operation at this moment worldwide.

VapingHow many people are vaping right now? See a WHO user-pool-based simulation with clearly separated assumptions about use episodes and local time.

Learning

10 estimates

Doing HomeworkHow many people are doing homework right now? View an assignment-and-research model based on diary time, local study hours and weekday patterns.

In A LibraryPublic, school and university libraries.

In ClassStudents estimated to be attending a class at this moment around the world.

Learning A LanguageClasses, apps and independent practice.

Listening To A LectureIn-person and remote lectures.

StudyingSelf-directed and assigned study.

Taking An ExamWritten, oral and computer-based exams.

Taking An Online CourseStructured digital learning sessions.

TeachingTeachers and instructors actively teaching.

WritingWork, study and personal long-form writing.

Movement

17 estimates

CommutingPeople travelling to or from work or education, weighted toward local rush hours.

CyclingHow many people are cycling right now? Explore a travel-survey-based scenario with local cycling hours and clearly labelled geographic extrapolation.

DancingSocial, performance, fitness and spontaneous dance.

Doing YogaHow many people are doing yoga right now? Explore a survey-informed practice scenario with explicit weekly frequency, duration and geographic limits.

DrivingA fleet-and-driver-hours estimate for people behind the wheel, recalculated for the current time. Not a live traffic measurement.

FlyingCommercial air passengers estimated to be airborne at this moment.

HikingTrail walking and recreational hiking.

MeditatingHow many people are meditating right now? See a meditation-practice scenario built from survey participation and transparent weekly-session assumptions.

Playing BasketballOrganized and casual basketball.

Playing FootballAssociation football in organized and casual play.

Riding A BusUrban, school and intercity buses.

Riding A TrainMetro, commuter, regional and long-distance rail.

RunningPeople estimated to be running outdoors or on a treadmill at this moment.

StretchingExercise, mobility and casual stretching.

SwimmingPools, open water and recreational swimming.

WalkingPeople estimated to be walking for transport, work or leisure right now.

Working Out At A GymCommercial, community and workplace gyms.