Dive into the world of online learning and learn about the industry trends, effectiveness, accessibility, and more with these 100 eLearning statistics for 2023.
Key Takeaways:
- Online learning market to be worth $1 trillion by 2032
- 90% of learners say they use their smartphones for online learning
- 90% of businesses offer online learning to employees
- Half of all students have participated in online learning
eLearning Market Statistics
1. $399.3 Billion eLearning Market Value
The market value of the eLearning industry is estimated to be worth almost $400 billion by some sources. More conservative valuations suggest the field is worth closer to $240 billion.
2. Projected Market Value of $1 Trillion by 2032
Between 2022 and 2032, the eLearning market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%, giving it a market value in the region of $1 trillion.
3. Online Learning Market Has Grown 900% Since 2000
While the eLearning market was already growing before 2000, the pandemic-enforced lockdowns accelerated this trend.
4. North American Market to be Worth $299.46 Billion Within 5 Years
Analysts and experts agree that the North American region (Canada, U.S., and Mexico) will continue growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%, adding $186 billion to its market value by 2028.
5. U.S. Online Learning Market Revenue of $74.8 Billion
Within the eLearning space, the U.S. market is the largest. Estimated revenues are thought to be in the region of $75 billion, which represents around one-fifth of the global market.
6. U.S. eLearning Market to be Worth $186 Billion by 2025
Continuing on from the previous statistic, the U.S. market for eLearning is expected to grow to be worth $186 billion by 2028.
7. Latin American Online Generates $3 Billion in Revenue
In 2020, the Latin American eLearning market (Central and South America) generated approximately $2.67 billion. Since then, generated revenue has grown by more than 12% to more than $3 billion.
8. Asian Market Will Be Worth ~$70 Billion by 2027
The Asian eLearning market is expected to grow by around 3.5% annually between now and 2027.
9. Online Learning Platforms Generate $5 Billion in India
The most populous country on the planet generated eLearning platform revenues of $5 billion this year.
10. European eLearning Market Will Grow by $28 Billion
Europe is the second largest eLearning market after the U.S., and analysts currently expect it to grow by up to $28 billion by 2027.
11. U.K. eLearning Market Worth $11.5 Billion by 2026
The U.K. market for online learning is predicted to have a compound annual growth rate of 15.27% up until 2026.
12. Middle East & Africa Region Have a Combined Market Value of $15.4 Billion
The entire Middle East and African regions have a combined market value of $15.4 billion; however, as internet connectivity in these regions improves, the eLearning market is expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% and reach a valuation of $23.8 billion by 2028.
13. $10.6 Billion Venture Capital Funding for Educational Technology
Global venture capital funding in educational technology (EdTech) fell by 49% compared with a year earlier. A large reason for such a significant reduction was a major fall in Chinese VC funding.
14. Duolingo is the World’s Most Downloaded Online Education App
With approximately 98 million downloads, Duolingo (a language learning tool) was the most downloaded educational app in the world.
15. MOOC Market Worth $14.75 Billion
The global market for massive open online courses (MOOC) is estimated to be worth approximately $14.75 billion as of the end of last year.
eLearning Adoption & Usage Statistics
16. 9.9% User Penetration Rate
By the close of this year, that percentage is expected to reach 11.6% and by 2027, analysts expect the figure to have risen further, reaching 16.6%.
17. 92% – 98% of eLearners Use Smartphones to Access Course Content
Smartphone use is nearly ubiquitous, and the eLearning market’s overall growth has been helped by meeting that market. Today, more than 9 out of 10 students access course content on their smartphones.
18. 98% of U.S. Universities Offer Online Courses
U.S. Universities have a fairly good track record of supporting different forms of distance learning even before the pandemic accelerated the shift. Today, 98% of universities in the U.S. offer some type of online classes.
19. Over 77% of Public Schools Offer eLearning Options
Over three-quarters of publicly funded schools in the U.S. now offer some or all of their classes in an online format.
20. 84% of U.S. College Students Can Access Online-Only Classes
A survey of U.S.-based college students found that more than 8 out of 10 could access some or all of their college classes online only.
21. Women More Likely to Enroll in Online Learning than Men
The trend of more females enrolling in higher education than males is present in the online learning space, too. The most recent enrollment figures show that 17% of women and just 13.6% of men actively pursue online education.
22. Students from 190 Countries Participate in eLearning Courses
There are 195 recognized countries in the world, and 190 of them have at least one student studying via online learning. One country not represented is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
23. One-Third of Learners from Rural Locations Use Online Learning
Studies show that people living in rural and remote locations benefit hugely from eLearning since travel to an education venue isn’t always easy or even possible. The latest data shows that roughly a third of students from these regions choose to learn online.
24. 46% Increase in the Availability of Microlearning Courses
Microlearning courses continue to grow at an average yearly rate of 46%, and this year is expected to continue similarly.
25. 64% of Gig Workers Use eLearning to Remain Competitive
Two-thirds of gig workers report using eLearning tools to gain new and updated skills and credentials that help them stay competitive.
26. 74% of U.S. Schools Offer Online Learning
74 out of the 100 largest school districts in the U.S. have online learning options in place or have plans to offer online or hybrid learning options.
27. 88% of Learners Read Online Course Reviews Before Enrolling
Consumer reviews of products and services have grown in importance in recent years and the eLearning services are no different. A survey of online learners in the U.S. discovered that almost 90% read consumer reviews of the course before signing up.
28. 80% of Schools Purchase Technology to Enable More eLearning
8 out of every 10 schools in the U.S. have plans to or have already purchased additional technology to help students learn exclusively online or in a hybrid form.
29. Stanford University Began the Massive Open Online Course Trend
In 2011, Stanford University launched 3 free courses online. More than 300,000 people registered for the courses, and the era of the MOOC began.
30. Harvard & MIT Spend $60 Million on eLearning
The edX MOOC (massively open online course) platform was a $60 million joint initiative between Harvard and MIT designed to provide access to their free online courses to a wider audience.
31. Over 41 Million edX Learners
The edX platform has grown steadily since its inception in 2012, and by the end of last year, 41 million users were registered to the platform.
32. 124 Million Coursera Students
Coursera is one of the biggest MOOC providers in the industry, with 124 million registered learners. In the first quarter of the year, 5.5 million new learners subscribed to the platform.
33. Over 17 Million Enrolled on FutureLearn
The most recent data available for the MOOC provider FutureLearn, shows that more than 17 million people from around the globe have registered for at least one course on the platform.
eLearning Trend Statistics
34. Online Tutoring Services Are Growing at 15.7%
The demand for online tutoring services has continued post-pandemic, and the 15.7% compound annual growth rate the industry currently enjoys is expected to continue until 2028.
35. Online Language Tutoring Services Experience 60% Growth in Demand
Following on from the last statistic, one area of the online tutoring industry that has seen big growth is online language tutoring. The field has seen a 60% increase in demand for the service this year.
36. Developing Countries Have Top Growth Rates
While the countries with the most registered online learners are unsurprising, the countries that have shown the highest rate of growth have all come from emerging economies. Paraguay, for example, has a growth rate of 98%.
37. 55% Increase in Social Learning Platform Registrations
Social learning platforms that make it possible for online learners to work together and communicate with each other have had a 55% increase in the number of registrations they’ve received in the past year.
38. Educational Webinar Attendance Grows
Educational webinars are the most popular type of webinar content available and have enjoyed growth of up to 60% by some studies.
39. Business Studies Is the Most Popular eLearning Subject for College Students
A study of the most popular eLearning courses found that business courses were the most popular, followed by health, computers, and medicine subjects.
40. Over 70% of U.S. Students Want to Continue Studying Online
The move to online learning has provided students in the U.S. with enough benefits that more than 70% would prefer online learning to remain an option now that the pandemic has ended.
41. MOOC Learners Slow Down Post-Pandemic
This year, approximately 40 million people enrolled for a massively open online course. While this is lower than the 60 million high seen at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the popularity of this type of online learning continues to grow.
42. $10.6 Billion Spent on EdTech Investments
There was a slowdown in EdTech investment this year with spending falling by 49% when compared with the record levels seen in 2021.
43. Average Online Learning Course Costs $137
A study of over 100,000 online learning courses came to the conclusion that the average price charged was $137.
44. Creating an Online Course Can Cost Big Money
A study of the costs associated with creating and selling an online learning course found that while it can be done for next to no money at all, it can also cost $10,000 or more depending on the quality of course content, outsourcing, and more.
45. Corporate eLearning Will Reach 250% Growth by 2026
In 2017, eLearning in the corporate world was worth an estimated $14 billion. The market is predicted to grow to a valuation of $49.87 billion by the end of 2026.
In-Person vs Online Learning Statistics
46. Up to 60% Retention Rate
Recent studies show that the average learner will retain between 25% and 60% of the information they learn through a typical online learning program. The average retention rate of in-person learning is a much lower 8% to 10%.
47. Online Learners Learn 5X More in the Same Time
eLearners will typically learn more content in the same amount of time as classroom learners. Studies have shown that in some cases this can be as much as 500% more.
48. Dropout Rates Are Mixed
There have been some studies that show online learning leads to a lower dropout rate, as learners are able to learn at a pace that suits them. Alternative studies also show online learning can have a higher dropout rate as learners don’t feel the same commitment or obligation as classroom learners.
49. Virtual Classroom Tools Boost Active Student Participation by 65%
Studies carried out over the pandemic-affected period showed that virtual classroom tools improved student participation in classes by as much as 65%.
50. 90% of eLearning Students Are Satisfied with Their Learning Experience
As part of a survey of thousands of online learners, learners were asked how they felt their online learning experience had gone. 90% stated that they were satisfied with their decision.
51. Blended Learning Can Improve Student Performance by 32%
Researchers looking at whether online or classroom students performed better, discovered that students that were part of a blended (online and offline) were capable of performing up to 32% better than students restricted to one method only.
52. Virtual Lab Simulations Boosts Student Results by 31%
Test results comparing students that used virtual lab simulations vs students that exclusively used in-person learning increased from an average result of 62.7% to 82.2%.
53. 90% Reduction in Energy Consumption
By reducing the need for learners to commute to a place of study, online learning can help to reduce energy consumption by as much as 90%.
54. Online Learners Can Learn 60% Faster
Online learners enjoy the ability to learn at a pace that is comfortable for them, and the latest studies show this can improve learner speed by up to 60%.
55. Online Learning Helps 81% of U.S. College Students Improve Their Grades
81% of U.S. college students self-report that online learning helps to improve grades by allowing students to study at a pace that works for them.
56. Up to 90% of Students Believe Online Learning Is Equal to or Better than Traditional Learning
When asked how they felt online learning compared against in-person learning, 90% of learners said that the online experience was the same or better than the classroom experience.
57. U.S. Students More Optimistic About eLearning Post-Pandemic
Prior to the COVID pandemic, online learning and eLearning were used primarily by older students and were viewed as being of a lower quality than in-person classes. Post-pandemic the opinion has changed, with almost 60% of U.S. students now viewing online learning favorably.
58. Online Learning Reduces Carbon Emissions by 85%
Learning online can help to reduce the CO2 emissions of an individual by as much as 85%. Most of this can be attributed to the reduced need to travel, and the emission costs associated with powering and heating a place of education.
59. One-Third of U.S. College Students Manage Schedules with eLearning Tools
30% of college students in the U.S. report using eLearning tools to help them track their class or course schedules and remain organized.
60. Half of Mobile Learners Complete Work Faster than Desktop Users
The portability and ease of use of mobile devices have helped half of online learners to complete coursework faster than learners using a desktop.
Workplace Online Learning Statistics
61. 41.7% of Fortune 500 Companies Use Online Learning for Employee Training
Roughly half of the 500 most successful businesses in the world use online learning tools and technology to train employees.
62. 90% of Businesses Already Offer Some Type of Digital Learning
Surveys of businesses in the U.S. and Europe found that roughly 9 out of every 10 already offer employees some form of digital training.
63. Online Learning Can Improve Employee Performance by 25%
Several studies have shown that online learning and eLearning programs can help re-engage employee commitment and improve productivity by as much as 15% – 25%.
64. 30% of Organizations Use VR for Training
Over a thousand businesses in the U.S. were surveyed about their use of online learning experiences and VR. The results showed that around a third (30%) were already using VR or planned to integrate it into employee training later this year.
65. 87% of Employees Believe Online Learning Is Essential for Career Advancement
A survey of thousands of workers across multiple industries found that employees overwhelmingly believe that continued learning is crucial to career growth and that online learning is an essential learning and career advancement tool.
66. 87% of Employees Believe Online Learning Improves Job Satisfaction
Not only do workers think that online learning is essential to successful career advancement, but they also believe that it helps improve satisfaction at work too.
67. 58% of Employees Prefer Self-Paced Learning
Nearly two-thirds of workers say that they prefer self-paced learning over the traditional classroom style.
68. 89% of Hiring Managers Consider Soft Skills as Equally Important as Hard Skills
The majority of hiring managers agree that soft skills (time management, organization, communication, motivation, etc.) are just as important as hard skills and online learners are often better prepared in this regard.
69. Demand for Micro-Credentials & Skill Badges Rises by 35%
The increasing use of automation and AI tools is causing a shift in the skills and qualifications that employers are looking for their employees to have. One way this shift has been observed is the 35% increase in demand for micro-credentials and skill badges.
70. Companies Increase eLearning Budgets by 15%
Many businesses face a shortage of workers with the appropriate training and skills and this shortfall has been exasperated by the shift toward remote work and automation. To combat this, businesses have increased their eLearning budgets by an average of 6% – 15%.
71. 96% of Organizations Provide Online Training on Personal Data Protection
Almost all organizations in the U.S. carry out all or part of their personal data protection and general data protection policy training through online learning methods.
72. $30 Return on Every $0.01 Spent
Employers that provide online training to their employees report that every cent spent providing online training and learning opportunities to employees results in a $30 increase in employee productivity.
73. 72% of Businesses Believe Using eLearning Technologies Makes Them More Adaptable
Nearly three-quarters of the businesses that took part in this survey said that implementing eLearning technologies in the workplace has helped them to adapt to market and social changes more rapidly.
74. IBM Employees Learned 5x More with eLearning
IBM’s Basic Blue training program was one of the earliest uses of eLearning in the world of big business. While initially hesitant about the program, workers said they preferred the eLearning approach and that they were able to learn more.
75. IBM Saved $200 Million with eLearning
Expanding on the last statistic, the move to provide training through eLearning saved the company an estimated $200 million.
76. Workplace Learning Management Systems Can Increase Worker Engagement by 92%
Employers that use learning management systems (LMS) to aid their workers can often see a boost in employee engagement and job satisfaction. One recent study of businesses in Europe found employee engagement increased by an impressive 92%.
77. Online Training Can Help with Employee Retention
More than 9 out of 10 companies in the U.S. rate employee retention as a top concern for them due to the costs associated with finding a suitable replacement. Providing existing employees with learning opportunities (both classroom and online) can help reduce employee turnover.
78. 42% Saving in Training Costs
By switching training away from a traditional classroom environment over to an eLearning first approach, businesses can enjoy up to 42% in training-related costs.
79. Learning & Development Professionals Increase eLearning Budgets by ~60%
A survey of the largest employers in the U.S. found that most have received a budget increase for employee training and development specifically using online learning tools.
80. Reskilling Current Workforce Is a Priority for L&D Departments
Expanding on the previous statistic, L&D departments are prioritizing reskilling the current workforce over hiring new employees, and using online learning is considered the most effective way to achieve that.
Online Learning Student Performance Statistics
81. 83% of Learners Say Gamification Helps with Engagement
A survey of learners discovered that 8 out of 10 learners agree that adding game-like elements to their online learning experience has helped them stay engaged and motivated.
82. 47% of Teachers Think Gamification Benefits “Weak” Students the Most
Around half of the teachers in the U.S. believe that gamification is most beneficial to students that are struggling with class content as it promotes engagement.
83. 72% of Educators Believe Online Learning Is Crucial
Over two-thirds of educators believe that online learning is crucial to the learning experience, as it can be a more personal experience that is tailored to the learner’s specific needs.
84. Average Completion Rate of 13%
University learners have a completion rate of 58%, almost five times higher than the average completion rate of online learners (13%).
85. 91% of Educators Say Data-Driven Online Learning Has Improved Student Performance
The majority of educators agree that one of online learning’s biggest advantages is the ease with which data surrounding the student’s performance can be captured, analyzed, and used to improve a student’s learning experience and grades.
86. Interactive Online Learning Courses Have Better Results than Static Content
Increasing the level of interactivity within an online learning course increases learner engagement which in turn can lead to improved student performance when compared against the same learner using static content.
87. Student Knowledge Retention & Comprehension Boosted 75% by Online Peer-to-Peer Learning
Online learning courses that utilize student-to-student (peer-to-peer) learning as part of their learning model show a 75% improvement in knowledge retention and comprehension compared with courses that do not.
88. Students Who Participate in Online Discussions Score 15% Better
While online learning is typically viewed as a solo exercise, many eLearning courses provide a place for learners to communicate with and assist each other. Studies show that students who actively engage with online discussions generally score 15% higher in their results than students that don’t use this feature.
89. 8 out of 10 U.S. Students Say Grades Improve with Online Learning
A survey asking college students in the U.S. asked whether the students felt their grades had changed because of learning online. Over 80% said that they felt that online learning had helped to improve their grades.
90. 72% of eLearners Completing Courses Report Career Benefits
A study of individuals that had completed an online learning course found that around three-quarters of them reported that it had benefited their careers.
Online Learning Challenges & Concerns
91. Low Motivation a Factor for up to 76%
Approximately three-quarters of all undergraduates and around half (56%) of graduates say that low motivation is the biggest problem with completing an online course.
92. 90% Reduction in Cheating Incidents
Most cheating carried out in traditional classroom environments is done collaboratively, with students getting answers from other learners in close proximity to them. In some studies, online learning has been shown to reduce the likelihood of that happening by as much as 90%.
93. Online Learners Are Concerned About Data Privacy
One of the biggest concerns of online learners is just how safe their personal and private data is protected by online learning platforms. As many as three-quarters of eLearning students worry that their data isn’t adequately protected.
94. 52% of People Fail to Advance Beyond Initial Sign-up Stage
One major challenge faced by online learning courses is that around half of the people who sign-up do not use any of the course materials.
95. Most MOOC Learners Are Already Educated
One area that MOOC providers need to work on is trying to attract more first-time learners. A recent study in the U.K. found that approximately 80% of all MOOC learners already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
96. Course Creators Concerned About Marketing
For creators of online courses, the marketing of their courses is a primary concern. 79% of online course creators stated marketing as their main concern.
97. eLearning Devices Used in Schools Miss Compliance Rates 40% of the Time
The eLearning devices that U.S. students at the K-12 level use are on average insecure and fail to meet compliance standards. Just 40% of the devices studied were updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft and Apple.
Online Learning Predictions
98. Online Learning AI Integration Expected to Grow 47% by 2026
The recent boom in AI technologies is expected to make an impact in the online education space and will become more common over the coming years. By 2026, AI integration within online learning is expected to grow by 47%.
99. AI & Automation Will Boost Online Learning Market
The online learning market is predicted to continue growing for the foreseeable future, with much of this being fueled by AI and automation technology being used to make learning experiences tailored to the individual.
100. Online Learning Will Become Mobile-First Dominated
Over 70% of millennials say that they prefer using their mobile device for learning over using a desktop device or in-person learning. As the younger demographic (Gen-Z) ages, it’s expected that their preference for mobile-first activities will accelerate the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Students Use Online Learning?
It’s estimated that approximately half of today’s students in the U.S. have completed some form of eLearning class or course content.
What Is the Success Rate of eLearning?
If success is measured by the pass rate of students, then online learning has up to a 35% success rate.
How Big Is the eLearning Market?
The eLearning and online learning market has an estimated value of up to $400 billion.
Is the eLearning Industry Growing?
Yes. The industry has grown approximately 900% in the last 3 years.
How Much Cheaper Is Online Learning than Traditional Learning?
Many online learning courses are free; however, the average online course costs approximately $137. The average undergraduate degree in the U.S. costs $23,000.
What Are the Most Popular Online Learning Subjects?
The most popular subject fields are business, computers, health, and medicine.
How Many Companies Provide Employees with eLearning Opportunities?
90% of businesses surveyed in the U.S. provide employees with online learning options.
Sources
Global Market Insights, Statista, MarketScale, Grand View Research, World Economic Forum, Mordor Intelligence.
