75+ Metaverse Statistics You Should Know in 2025

Metaverse means "beyond the universe” and was introduced to us by authors like Neal Stephenson in "Snow Crash," Ernest Cline in "Ready Player One," and William Gibson in "Neuromancer". 

As the idea grew with increasing investment and development, it now plays an important role in the digital world, from education to gaming. Businesses, from gaming companies to enterprises, are experimenting with augmented reality (AR) tools and virtual reality software to create novel immersive experiences in the metaverse. 

So, how many people use the metaverse? Who are the key players in the virtually immersive industry? How big is the metaverse market? Is Metaverse really growing?  Let's look at relevant numbers that shed light on this new, big digital realm.

General metaverse statistics

In the last two years, before generative AI became the buzzword, Metaverse was booming. But is it still? The statistics below show that Metaverse still has its mojo, and the technology is getting traction. 

• 600 million active users use the Metaverse every month, including platforms like Robolox, Fortnite, Minecraft, and other immersive reality apps in alpha and beta testing. 
• People search the term metaverse around 446,000 times per month worldwide.
• The metaverse's reach is projected to be 2.6 billion people by 2030. 
• 95% of business executives see a positive impact of metaverse on their industry within 5 to 10 years.

• An impressive 68% of tech pundits are betting on the metaverse to make significant waves in the next half-decade.
• Roblox, the popular metaverse gaming platform, has over 77.7 million daily active users of Roblox games.
• 79% of active users on the metaverse have made a purchase. 
• 54% of technology experts expect the metaverse to be more refined and truly fully immersive by 2040.
• Meta, formerly Facebook, has funneled nearly $50 billion into Meta's Realty Labs division for metaverse development.
• Meta’s Reality Labs division hit $1 billion for the first time in the quarter ended on Dec 31, 2023. 
• The niche of virtual fitting rooms in retail is predicted to soar from $5.71 billion in 2024 to USD 25.11 billion by 2032.

Metaverse market and industry statistics

"Is metaverse dead?" is the question people ask about the industry and technology in 2024. However, numbers show that Metaverse is living its moment as businesses develop real-world applications of the technology after the initial hype cycle. 

•  The global metaverse market will be worth $936.6 billion by 2030.
• Goldman Sachs, a global financial titan, sees the metaverse as a potential goldmine, estimating its value at a massive $8 trillion. This sentiment is echoed by numerous industry experts who predict significant growth in its valuation.
• The metaverse market size in e-commerce alone reached $34.65 billion in 2023 and will hit around $936.28 billion by 2033.
• 278 metaverse companies raised roughly $530 million in 2023 through funding rounds.
• Investments in metaverse companies on the whole at $9.72 billion in 2023.
• The market cap of extended reality sector which is part of immersive reality technology, is projected to touch $252 billion by 2028, from $92.88 billion in 2022. 
• Investment in VR/AR, which forms the bedrock of the metaverse, will be an impressive $72.8 billion in 2024. Consequently, frontrunners across sectors like gaming, retail, arts, healthcare, and blockchain are strategizing to establish their presence in this domain.
• The collective market cap for AR, VR, and mixed reality (MR) will be $250 billion by 2028.
• The user penetration of the metaverse market will be 14.6% in 2024 and is expected to reach 39.7% by 2030.

Metaverse technology statistics

On the technology side, AR and VR technology have seen significant investments over the past few years. Sectors such as VR headsets and mobile AR are predicted to become a multi-billion dollar market in the foreseeable future. Non-fungible tokens (NFT), powered by blockchain technology, to record ownership of things in the metaverse remains notable. The statistics below tell about the growth of technology powering the metaverse. 

• Forecasts suggest that AR and VR headset shipments could reach 23.22 million in 2023, 32.76 million in 2024, and a potential 43.87 million by 2025.
• More than 34 million VR headsets will be in use by 2024.

• The AR and VR market revenue projection is $31.12 billion in 2023, escalating to $52.05 billion by 2027.
• Mobile AR users worldwide are set to increase exponentially, from 200 million in 2015 to a staggering 1.7 billion by 2024.
• 66% of respondents believe XR will revolutionize virtual learning.
• 53% of consumers are open to shelling out over $300 on entry-level VR headsets and accompanying controllers.
• Global sales of XR headsets are on course to triple by 2025.
• Meta holds 90% of the VR headset market. Following Meta is ByteDance's Pico, with a 4.5% share.
• By 2028, 16.35 million will be using the NFT marketplace. 

Metaverse usage statistics

People use the metaverse differently. Some use it to play games, while others leverage its capabilities to socialize virtually. The statistics below cover the many other reasons people love to use the metaverse. 

• Almost one-third of the US population has never heard of the metaverse.
• Over 25% (1 in 4) of global consumers are interested in trying virtual experiences, from travel, culture, and fitness
• Every month, the metaverse attracts over 600 million active participants, a significant portion being young teens. Platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft are particularly favored by those aged 12-13.
• Robolox has nearly 78 million active users. Sandbox, another immersive gaming platform, has 5.8 million user accounts. 
• 8 out of 10 metaverse users (84%) use the platforms for personal enjoyment.
• The average user spending across all metaverse platforms is $328 per user. 
• Research suggests that businesses delving into the metaverse primarily target large corporations, males, and the Gen Z demographic. They slightly prioritize men (11.3%) over women (8.6%) and find larger enterprises three times as attractive as small to medium-sized businesses.

• The valuation of virtual art galleries has touched $2.4 billion, with projections of further growth in 2023. Given the surge in NFTs and interest in virtual reality, artists are increasingly leaning toward this digital medium. This allows art enthusiasts to indulge in immersive experiences from the comfort of their homes, minus the hassle of maintaining physical artwork.
• A whopping 400 million people globally engage with the metaverse regularly.
• Over a quarter of worldwide consumers are keen to explore virtual experiences.
• A metaverse user survey highlighted three primary benefits: the thrill of tackling real-time challenges (39%), fostering creativity and imaginative thinking (37%), and digitally touring the globe (37%).
• NordVPN and Propeller Insights state that 25% of American adults contemplate the metaverse as a potential successor to traditional social media platforms.
• 39% of American adults believe the metaverse can facilitate experiences otherwise inaccessible to them in the physical realm.
• Marketing in the metaverse is growing. AB InBev's collaboration with Zed Run to market, breed, and sell NFT horses supports this. Once valued at $30, these NFTs command prices as high as $165,000.
• “Pretending to be someone else/creating an alter ego” is the third most popular answer (24%) to the question: “What would you do in the metaverse that you would never do in real life?”
• 88% of users believe forming meaningful relationships in virtual space is possible. Of these, 54% admit they would design an avatar that doesn’t look like them.

Metaverse gaming and event statistics

Prominent stars like Ariana Grande, Travis Scott, and Post Malone have taken center stage in the metaverse, showcasing the platform's entertainment potential. 2023 is seeing a surge in metaverse events from Seoul to Las Vegas. 

Moreover, the first-ever Metaverse Beauty Week in June 2023, hosted by CULT, bridged virtual and physical realms, with the spotlight on top beauty brands in London and online platforms. Cult’s team partners with global beauty brands and connects them with digital designers. The statistics below showcase people’s preference for metaverse for events and gaming. 

• In 2023, Metaverse in the gaming industry was valued at $22.7 billion and will reach $119 million by 2028.
• 1 out of 2 US gamers believe the metaverse will change the game industry.
• 7 in 10  VR headset users play games with their devices.
• 60% of gamers have turned to the metaverse for activities beyond gaming, such as virtual socialization and e-shopping.

• Metaverse music events found the highest traction among millennials: 32% showed moderate enthusiasm, while 29% were extremely keen. Gen Z had mixed reactions, with 32% slightly intrigued and 30% expressing disinterest. The interest dwindled significantly among the baby boomer demographic.
• Gamers in Robolox spent 16.7 billion hours on the platform in just 3 months.
• Every month, Roblox sees an average of 15+ million unique paying customers. 
• Fortnite's event featuring Galactus attracted a staggering 15.3 million gamers and witnessed 3.4 million viewers across platforms like YouTube Gaming and Twitch.
• Topping the list of most attended Metaverse concerts are Travis Scott with 45.8 million viewers, Lil Nas X at 37 million, Ariana Grande with 27 million, 24KGoldn drawing 14.6 million, and 21 Pilots pulling in 13.4 million attendees.
• Overcoming real-time obstacles (39%), increasing creativity and imagination (37%), and traveling the world without moving (37%) could be the biggest benefits of the metaverse.

Concerns and risks associated with metaverse: key statistics

Although it has several benefits and use cases, metaverse does raise eyebrows if you mention security and privacy. Many people are concerned about their mental health and its addictive nature. Others have expressed their thoughts on personal data privacy within the metaverse. Let’s explore key statistics highlighting common concerns and risks related to the metaverse. 

•  55% of companies think the metaverse is a risk worth taking, and 22% believe it is the future.
• In a survey of 1,000 people, nearly half view potential addiction as the most alarming risk linked to the metaverse.
• People perceive addiction to a simulated reality (47%), privacy issues (41%), and mental health issues (41%) as the biggest perils of the metaverse.
• 55% of internet users are worried their personal data will not be secure in the metaverse.
• The metaverse community champions the prohibition of themes like suicide, animal abuse, hate discourse, and online harassment. Interestingly, under 50% of survey participants felt that content related to drugs and alcohol should be restricted.

• 18% of users are concerned about potential exposure to inappropriate content within the metaverse.
• 26% of respondents foresee a surge in cyber crimes due to the metaverse's growth.
• 54% of those surveyed are inclined to design a metaverse avatar distinct from their real-life appearance.
• Privacy remains a primary concern, with 41% of users anticipating breaches.
• A significant 77% believe the metaverse might adversely affect real-world interactions.

Entering a space made of pixels

Imagine watching a soccer game with complete immersion or reliving historical events visually. These aren’t just fantasies anymore; they’re realities in the making. 

The metaverse is rapidly becoming popular, and the statistics above suggest that it is poised for monumental growth in 2025 and beyond. Gaming and e-commerce will thrive, and virtual real estate and music events will gain traction.

Marketing and advertising will likely drive the next phase of the metaverse. Many brands have recognized its potential and are laying the foundation for their virtual presence. 

While still in its early stages of development, the metaverse's possibilities are endless when applied to how we work, live, and play. 

Will the declining interest in AR/VR impact the evolution of the metaverse? Our latest research piece on the rise of AI hype provides more insights.

This article was originally published in 2023. It has been updated with new information.