eLearning Statistics: Know the Current Trends and Insights

Online learning is no longer a “buzzword”; it has evolved as a go-to-learning mode in different arenas. From its first iterations in the CBT seminar to its widespread adoption in academia and business, it has progressed significantly. The eLearning industry is a multi-billion-dollar empire projected to reach the $1 trillion mark by 2032. 

Rising costs of traditional education, accessibility, technological advancements, increasing corporate skill gap are the catalysts spurring the trailblazing growth. On that note, let’s take a look at some interesting statistics and insightful trends that’s shaping the eLearning industry. 

To ensure you get information from credible sources, we have researched many articles, surveys, infographics, etc. So, get ready to dive deep into the world of eLearning statistics, infographics, and trends!

General eLearning Industry Statistics

The global eLearning market has shown an upward trend, rising from 399.3 USD billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a 14% CAGR between 2023 and 2032. Typically, eLearning includes educational materials, a type of training or, in general, a learning experience delivered over the Internet.

Here are some engaging statistics from the eLearning industry:

• The eLearning industry is expected to reach $325B by 2025. (Forbes)
• From the 2000s, the eLearning industry has grown by 500%. (Devlin Peck)
• More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies leverage online learning. (Devlin Peck)
• 92% of people allocate at least one hour monthly for digital learning. (PR Newswire)
• 70% of students prefer online learning over traditional classroom setups. (University of the Potomac)
• 98% of Universities have transitioned to online classrooms since 2020. (Source: Admissions)
• 62% of people prefer creators curating educational content rather than those creating content for entertainment purposes. (PR Newswire)
• Traditional on-campus degrees cost $30K more than an online degree. (Upskillwise)

Industry Accelerators

• Proliferation of Internet and mobile learning
• Educational Institutions Adopting Digital Learning
• Demand for upskilling and reskilling in the corporate sector
• Rising demand for the healthcare sector
• Migration to cloud-based systems

Challenges

• Lack of learner motivation and engagement 
• Low internet connectivity or flexibility
• Staying informed about modern technological advancements
• Lack of peer-to-peer interaction

Regional Analysis

• North America holds the largest market share of about 36.3% in 2022.
• Asia Pacific region is predicted to be the fastest growing market with the highest CAGR of 20.9% during 2023-2030.

Market Share By Technology

• Online e-learning
• LMS
• Mobile e-learning
• Rapid e-learning
• Virtual Classroom
• Others
  

Market Share By Top Companies

• Adobe System
• Apollo Education Group 
• Articulate Global, Inc
• Baidu Inc,
• Blackboard Inc,
• Cisco Systems, Inc
• Citrix Systems
• Compunnel Software Group Inc.
• Coursera, Inc
• D2L Corporation

Corporate eLearning statistics

The competitive corporate landscape has led to an ever-evolving need to equip employees with appropriate knowledge and skills. Further, globalization and industrialization have led to an increased demand for skills. Corporate eLearning solutions have evolved as highly adaptable tools to impart training to the workforce. 

 Let’s explore some valuable corporate eLearning statistics!

• The global corporate training market is projected to hit USD 56.92 billion, growing at a CAGR of 9.69% from 2022 to 2027. (Technavio)
• With 51% growth, North America would lead the global corporate eLearning market. (Technavio)
• 50% of the total corporate expenditures would be focussed on online learning by 2025. (Gitnux)
• Technical training is the segment expected to witness significant growth. (Technavio)
• IBM witnessed close to $200 million in savings leveraging technology-based distance learning. (Washington Post)
• eLearning cuts down 40-60% of employee’s time when compared to traditional learning methods (Dashe)
• Dow Learning transitioned from in-person tutoring to eLearning, saving up to $34 million. (Belitsoft)
• 6 out of 9 employees like to learn new skills at work. And self-paced learning is the preferred mode for 58% of people. (LinkedIn)
• eLearning technology improves employee engagement by 18%. (Molly Fletcher) 
• 59% of people prefer to join a workplace that offers upskilling opportunities. (Forbes)

eLearning Statistics for Businesses

With the advancements in technology and the evolution of workplace strategies, upskilling and reskilling have become pivotal for businesses. More and more businesses are resorting to training to improve the performance and efficiency of their workforce.

Here are some general statistics for eLearning in businesses:

• 93% of businesses globally plan to adopt online learning. (FinancesOnline)
• 42% of businesses that adopted online learning generated a higher income. (Gitnux)
• By switching to eLearning, businesses are cutting the brunt by saving 40% in training costs. (LinkedIn)
• 72% of businesses use LMS to gain a competitive advantage. 9% of businesses witnessed higher profits and improved organizational growth and productivity. (FinancesOnline)
• eLearning saves employees’ time by 40%-60% compared to instructor-led training, an effective learning medium. (Dashe)

Learning and Development

The training expenditure within the US surpassed $100 billion for the first time during 2021-2022. (Training Magazine Industry Report)

According to the LinkedIn Workplace Survey 2023, L&D is becoming more dominant, cross-functional, and strategic. 

The survey shows 41% of L&D leaders expected more budget spending for 2023.

Here are the top priorities for L&D programs:

• Increase your focus
• Invest in cross-functional programs
• Boost data literacy
• Lead data managers
• Prioritize learning
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion

Statistics on eLearning Software and Tools

A major driver for the growth of the eLearning industry are the instruments of content delivery — eLearning software and tools. The two main types of eLearning software are course co-authoring tools and Learning Management Systems (LMS). The type of software you choose depends on your course content, learners, and budget.

Let’s take a look at the eLearning statistics on software and tools:

• The global LMS market is valued at 20.33 billion USD in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17% from 23.35 billion to 82 billion in 2032 (Fortune Business Insights)
• There are about 73.2 million approximately LMS users worldwide.(Research.com)
• Europe and North America lead the global LMS market share, while Asia-Pacific’s LMS industry is rapidly expanding.(Research.com)
• There are 1000+ LMS vendors worldwide. Web-based solutions are adopted by 87% of users. (Research.com)
• Canvas LMS leads the North American LMS with a market share of 35%. (Gitnux)
• About 44.81% of US’s higher educational institutions use Moodle as their preferred LMS. (Gitnux)
• The global collaborative authoring tools market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 13.1% from 1774.5 million USD in 2022 to $5956.7 million USD in 2032. (Future Market Insights)
• The most widely adopted technologies are LMS, accounting for 89%, followed by quick learning tools at 40% and mobile applications at 36%. (Trainingmag) 

Mobile Learning Statistics

Mobile learning is an emerging trend that allows users to access eLearning programs on the go. Characterized by a responsive design and accessibility, it breaks into the monotony of traditional classroom learning.

The mobile learning market is poised to reach 76.08 billion USD in 2024 and 230.12 billion USD by 2029, expanding at 24.78% CAGR. (Mordor Intelligence)

So, now, let’s deep dive into some statistics of the emerging trend:

• There were 7.1 billion users in 2021, which is expected to grow by 7.49 billion in 2025. (Statista)
• 64% of learners prefer to access their training through mobile phones. (acornLMS)
• 71% of millennials choose a mobile-centric approach over desktops and traditional classrooms. (acornLMS)
• 99% of participants claimed that mobile learning supported learning. 75% of participants considered it as a convenient, time-saving and distraction-free approach. (Merill Lynch survey)
• 77% of students consider mobile learning for easier access to coursework, and 65% believe it improves peer-to-peer communication. (University of Central Florida)
• Majority of university teachers support mobile learning. In a study of 1544 university teachers from different Spanish universities, 73% have integrated mobile into their teaching. (Mobile Learning in Higher Education) 
• Anthology, a leading LMS provider, and Navengage, a mobile technology partner, announced a partnership to create a robust mobile learning platform. This brings together Navengage’s mobile app with Anthology Engage. (Mordor Intelligence)
• Approximately two-thirds of educators appreciate that accessibility to numbers and different types of mobile devices has positively influenced learning. (EdWeek Survey, June 2020)

Mobile Learning Market Leaders

As per Mordor Intelligence, here’s a list of top Mobile Learning Market Leaders:

• Promethean World Ltd.
• NetDimensions Limited
• Upside Learning Solutions Ltd
• Skillsoft
• SAP SE

eLearning in education

An interactive, engaging, knowledge-rich learning experience is crucial for schools and higher educational institutes. Hence, online learning has become a preferred choice for instructors and students. More institutions rely on online learning for course creation and management, student progress monitoring, and efficient communication between the institutions, instructors, and students.

Here are some interesting statistics related to eLearning in education:

• In 2023, many higher education courses were at least partially online. Plus, the edtech tools accessed per school district on average in the K-12 schools increased from 2,500 to 895 in 2018-19. (Statista)
• 53% of students were enrolled in at least one online course during 2022-23. (Inside Higher Ed)
• Over 90,000 schools from 20 countries took online classes via Zoom in 2020. (Zoom)

Statistics on Online Learners 

In 2022, Wiley University Services surveyed 2,500 individuals nationwide who were enrolled in or planned to enroll in an online degree or certificate program. 

Here are some interesting findings from the survey:

• 69% of online learners prefer a program with a fast completion time involving back-to-back courses and fewer breaks.
• 77% of respondents value modality over other factors.
• 46% of online learners would preferably opt for another program from the same school. 
• 69% of respondents favor asynchronous learning, and 79% are ready to take some form of synchronous online learning.
• 33% of learners would choose a learning program with the lowest tuition fee. On the other hand, 14% of online learners would choose a program with the best accreditation regardless of the cost. 
• Online learners are more driven by digital marketing (email, social media, Google, etc.) than by non-digital marketing.

Factors influencing online learners to choose a specific program

1. Modality
2. Specific field of study
3. Tuition and Fees
4. Competition time
5. Accreditation of the school/program

McKinsey surveyed over 7,000 students across 17 countries to analyze which aspects of online education learners value the most. 

• The survey found that many higher education students would like to continue some aspect of online learning in education.

The infographic illustrates the eight key dimensions and 24 attributes that influence higher education students:

Here’s what matters:

• The basic features like timely delivery, appropriate course structure, and faculty still matter.
• Expensive features like virtual reality, graphic overlays, and simulations might not be valued by students.
• Student age and program types don’t significantly affect online learning experiences across age groups, education levels, etc.
  

Top 10 educational services in the US (Statista Report 2023)

1. Rosetta Stone (61%)
2. Babbel (51%)
3. LinkedIn Learning (45%)
4. Duolingo (43%)
5. Khan Academy (39%)
6. Coursera (34%)
7. Harvard Extension School (34%)
8. MasterClass (32%)
9. Stanford Online (31%)
10. Skillshare (28%)

elearning Industry Trends 

Here are the top eLearning trends to look about:

1. Personalized Learning

With changing educational needs, personalized learning is already creating ripples in the eLearning industry. So, what is personalized learning? It involves tailoring the curriculum and learning environment according to the learner’s style and needs. Simply put, it disrupts the linear way of content delivery and learning!

Adaptive learning leverages machine learning algorithms and data analytics to define a personalized approach for individual learners. Personalized learning has been widely adopted by professionals in corporate settings as a tool to tackle time management and commuting issues. 

In educational settings, resources, assessments, and activities are developed according to student’s strengths, preferences and learning styles. 

2. AR/VR

After revolutionizing gaming and other arenas worldwide, augmented and virtual reality are set to transform the eLearning industry. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global virtual reality market is estimated to expand from 32.64 billion USD to 244.84 billion USD during 2024 to 2032. Graphic overlays, 360-degree visuals and explorable interfaces are some AR and VR applications.

It creates an experiential learning experience by recreating a virtual environment or real-world scenario. Thus, the technology recreates an immersive and engaging experience for learners. 

3. Microlearning

Microlearning is a crucial trend that is defining the eLearning industry at the moment. With attention spans dropping, improving learners’ knowledge retention levels remains a significant question. That’s when strategies like microlearning could help!

In fact, microlearning can improve retention rates from 25% to 60% and completion rates from 70% to 80%. So, how does microlearning help? It breaks the information into “bite-size,” which is easier to absorb. Also, learners can learn at their own pace rather than be overwhelmed by the complexity of the concept.

Google’s Whisper courses for manager training and Cisco’s bite-sized IT training videos are popular examples of microlearning programs.

4. Gamification     

Another major trend driving the eLearning industry is gamification. But, how can you implement gamification in online learning? 

Gaming elements like leaderboards, badges, challenges, and progress bars spark curiosity and keep the fun element alive! An interactive and dynamic learning environment encourages active participation and critical thinking.

Gamification is one of the instrumental forms of on-the-job training. Moreover, gamified learning drives employee productivity and engagement by 50% to 60%. 

In the paper “Gamification Effects on Motivation and Learning: Application to Primary and College Students,” Theresa A. Papp demonstrated the positive influence of gamification on boosting student motivation, engagement and learning ability. It can be crucial in compliance training, onboarding, and upskilling.

5. Mobile Learning and Blended Learning

The world is inadvertently moving towards the mobile-first trend. Educational institutes and corporate training are focussing on mobile learning (mLearning). The proliferation of smartphones and freedom of accessibility are the reasons for this trend’s growth.

Mobile apps support responsive design, paving the way for instructor-led blended training and a self-paced approach. Along with microlearning, mLearning is termed to be the next generation of corporate training. 

Blended learning combines the advantages of traditional learning with modern technology to deliver a dynamic learning experience.

How is AI affecting eLearning?

AI is evolving as a revolutionary tool, transforming different fields, including education. Business owners are realizing the significance of staying adept with AI technology more than ever. The AI market size in education was valued at $4 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass the $30 billion mark by 2030. 

Here are the primary reasons for the adoption of artificial intelligence:

• Improved learner outcomes and experience
• Cost reduction
• Gaining competitive advantage
• Improved agility

Listed below are the top applications of AI in education:

• Learning analytics
• Language Translation
• AI-based recommendation system
• Speech recognition and natural language processing
• Adaptive learning
• Content creation
• Virtual assistants
• Intelligent agents
  

eLearning Funding & Startups

Listed below are the fast-growing edtech companies to watch out for in 2024 and ahead:

The Future of eLearning

While all these elearning statistics look promising, there’s one thing that is quite evident! eLearning is rapidly growing, and the technology is affirming its roots in all arenas worldwide. Kevin Carey predicted in 2015 that offline learning would no longer be relevant. However, that’s not entirely true! 

Traditional classrooms won’t disappear entirely in the near future. Instead, organizations are coalescing the engagement of instructor-led training with the flexibility of eLearning to offer a hybrid approach — blended learning. 

LMSs are evolving as an instrument for delivering a tailored learning experience to students. Besides, the role of LMS in upskilling and reskilling is undeniable. With the eLearning trends like AI, gamification, AR and VR, eLearning is set to transform the modern education system for the better!

FAQs-Related to eLearning Statistics

1. What are the new eLearning trends?

Artificial Intelligence, AR/VR, mobile learning, gamification, etc, are the latest eLearning trends.

2. What are the statistics on eLearning?

The eLearning industry is expected to reach $325B by 2025. More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies leverage online learning, and 70% of students prefer online learning over traditional classrooms.

3. Is eLearning a growing industry?

The global eLearning market was valued at 399.3 USD billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at 14% CAGR between 2023 to 2032.