99 Online Learning Platform Statistics that Reveal the Future

E-learning delivers education through digital resources. From classrooms to boardrooms, people are more inclined to take online courses to balance learning with the rest of their lives.

Modern coaches, teachers, mentors, and solopreneurs use online learning platforms to make educational content.

The statistics below tell a story more vividly than the words above. Discover what’s driving this educational transformation!

Key online learning platform statistics

This data offers a glimpse into what's trending and effective in online education. 

• Organizations that train employees in soft skills through e-learning see a 50% revenue boost per employee.
• 77% of companies adopted e-learning to enhance workflow and learn in-demand skills.
• Over 93% of global companies are considering adopting or have already adopted e-learning.
• 80% of companies and half of institutional students have accessed e-learning platforms.
• Online learning is 40-60% quicker than traditional learning.

• Due to cost savings like reduced travel expenses, 42% of institutions saw a rise in revenue after shifting to e-learning.
• The average online education company in Europe has 25 employees and earns £3 million annually.
• The European Higher Education Area's 48 countries use online learning to complement, not replace, traditional education.
• E-learning increased retention rates to 25-60%, compared to the 8-10% in face-to-face tutoring.

• 28% of companies provide compliance training online.
• If businesses adopt online learning, employee engagement might increase by 18%.
• Corporate online learning might reach $50 billion by 2026 with a consistent 15% growth rate.
• 17% more women are likely to enroll in online education than men.
• In February 2020, 250 million students in China shifted to online studies.
• The “Think and Learn App” saw its new student numbers rise by 200% in 2021.
• Most universities transitioned online, with platforms like DingTalk ZJU offering over 5,000 courses.
• In the US, only 25% of underprivileged 15-year-olds have access to learning devices.

Online learning platforms and their popularity

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy have become household names. They offer a buffet of courses, from history to coding. Without the need to travel or stick to strict class timings, students can learn on the couch, during lunch breaks, or late at night.

Quality and variety are other drivers for the popularity. Many platforms partner with top universities or experts. Learners get world-class content, often at a fraction of traditional education costs. 

Community also plays a role. Many platforms have forums or discussion groups where peers share, discuss, and help each other. It's collaborative and social.

• Udemy stands out as the top online learning platform, known for diverse, high-quality content. Udemy boasts 49 million users, with Teachable following at 18 million.
• SkillShare has 12 million users and over 35,000 classes as of 2023.
• Masterclass offers more than 150 courses across different categories in 2023.
• The average Udemy course creators earn between $1,000-$2,000 yearly, with top creators earning over $1 million. For example, Rob Percival's courses have nearly 120,000 students with $2.8 million in total earnings. 

• Over 75% of customers cite course quality as vital to their buying decisions.
• Developing one hour of interactive e-learning content typically takes 8-10 hours.
• More than 80% of corporate e-learning is created using rapid authoring tools.
• A standard e-learning course development team comprises 3-5 people, including designers, experts, artists, and producers.
• Udemy prides itself on its 20,000 experts and 12 million students.
• Teachable has 7,500 experts, over 20,000 courses, and around 3 million students.
• Platforms like Ruzuku, Academy of Mind, and Skillshare see their tutors earn up to $40,000 annually.
• LinkedIn Learning's value surged after LinkedIn bought Lynda.com for $1.5 billion in 2015.
• Sony sold units of PlayStation Virtual Reality worth $500 million in 2017 because of the rise of educational videos.

Overview of the online learning market

Gone are the days when learning meant just sitting in a classroom. Now you can learn from anywhere and at any time. This market is booming, and more students and professionals are turning to e-learning for convenience.

But it's not just about convenience. E-learning can be interactive and fun. With videos, quizzes, and chat forums, learners stay engaged. Plus, there's a lot of choice. You can find courses on almost any topic you can think of. 

Let’s start exploring the statistical trends in the e-learning market. 

• The e-learning market stands at over 325 billion in 2023. It's projected to grow at a 20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2022 to 2028.
• The US e-learning market will grow by $12.81 billion between 2020 to 2024.
• 57 million users will have participated in online learning platforms by 2027. E-learning is the fastest-growing segment in the education sector.
• The self-paced online learning system saw a $33 billion drop by 2021, with many people favoring live e-learning classes.
• Europe and the US account for 70% of global e-learning traffic.
• By 2026, the Asian Pacific e-learning market is predicted to grow by 11%.
• India's online market is set to reach over $8.6 billion by 2026.
• The European online learning market might hit $28 billion in five years.
• The German e-learning industry is predicted to grow at a 22% CAGR until 2028.
• User participation in online learning platforms has been 11.6% in 2023 and is expected to reach 16.6% by 2027.
• The e-learning market, valued at about $210.1 billion in 2021, might reach $848.12 billion by 2030.
• Markets like Thailand, India, China, and the Philippines observed a 30% annual growth rate.
• Analysts forecast the global e-learning market at nearly $400 billion by 2026.
• Virtual reality training is expected to grow over 900% in the next four years, reaching $14.5 billion by 2023.
• AI-based adaptive learning will grow, targeting a market size of $12.5 billion by 2027.
• Learning experience platforms (LXPS) are set to challenge the learning management system (LMS) market, with a projected 25% CAGR through 2026.
• The worldwide e-learning market could be worth $325 billion by 2025.
• The online learning market in Asia, the largest consumer, is witnessing a 20% annual revenue increase.
• Mobile e-learning has grown by $38 billion by 2020 and was projected to rise by an additional $6 billion from 2017 to 2022.

How businesses benefit from online learning

Companies love e-learning, too. Those who are offsite use e-learning to train their employees. It saves time and, often, money. No need to rent a big hall or fly trainers around. Just share a link, and everyone’s good to go. 

The stats below show how companies’ revenue changed after adopting e-learning.

• US firms reported a 42% income increase after adopting e-learning.
• Business retention rates with e-learning jumped from 25% to 60%.
• US IT businesses saved over $200 million by using e-learning.

• The corporate e-learning sector will grow by about 142% from 2021 to 2026.

Employee and student perspectives on e-learning

Employees see e-learning as a big win. They can learn independently, squeezing in lessons during breaks or after office hours. Quick, online modules make skill-building simpler. Plus, they can revisit content anytime they need a refresher. For many, e-learning means more control over their professional growth.

However, students have a mix of feelings. On one hand, they love freedom. They can study in their pajamas, replay lectures, and access materials 24/7. This flexibility is a lifesaver for those who juggle school with work or other responsibilities. On the other hand, some miss face-to-face interactions and often face the challenge of self-discipline. 

• Employees prefer self-paced online learning, with 58% choosing it for after-work or weekend study.
• Employees trained with e-learning are 36% more likely to stay with their employer for over three years.
• Businesses offering training incentives see course completions increase from 35% to 85%.
• 3% of US college students find e-learning tools beneficial.
• 49% of global students took at least one online course in the past year.
• E-learning classes have a 72% success rate, though in-person sessions remain popular.
• 81% of US college students feel e-learning improved their academics.
• 40% of college students find e-learning more efficient and precise than traditional teaching. 

• 36% of students appreciate e-learning for structured and personalized lessons.
• Students retain 25-60% more content with online learning than traditional methods.
• Over half of the students choose online education because it's cheaper.

Efficiency and savings with online learning

E-learning speeds things up. There’s no need to wait for a scheduled class or training session. Students can start immediately. They go at their own pace, which means time is well spent. If they're fast learners, they move ahead quickly.

Moreover, e-learning often cuts down costs. No classroom rentals, no printed materials, and no travel expenses. Everything's online.

For businesses, this means cheaper training programs. For students, it might mean lower course fees. E-learning content platforms also come with tracking features This means real-time feedback. Learners know where they stand instantly. Teachers and trainers spot gaps and address them right away. It's a more efficient feedback loop.

• E-learning in corporate sectors is 45% faster than traditional methods. 
• E-learning cuts employee learning time by 60% compared to traditional methods.
• E-learning consumes 90% less energy than in-person training.
• Top institutions reported a 10% increase in online enrollments.

Global adoption and notable e-learning players

Countries worldwide are embracing e-learning. In some regions, it's a solution to reach remote areas. In others, it complements traditional education. As internet access expands globally, so does e-learning's reach. It's breaking down barriers and opening doors to education everywhere.

• 41.7% of global Fortune 500 companies use e-learning for training.
• India’s e-learning startup, Byju, is valued at $22.6 billion, making it the world's 13th most giant unicorn.
• 93% of global companies are adopting e-learning, especially since the pandemic.
• Post-lockdown in 2020, e-learning platforms saw a 400% growth.
• Analysts believe the accelerated adoption of e-learning during COVID-19 will continue, projecting over 30% annual growth until 2023.
• 51% of companies expanded their online curriculum due to COVID-19.

• Despite the availability of traditional examination methods, 98% have transitioned online globally.
• By 2025, almost 50% of corporate training is predicted to be e-learning, a leap from less than 15% before COVID-19.
• Instructor-led virtual training experienced a 60% growth spike between February and May 2020.
• 27% of learners felt online training secured their jobs during the pandemic.
• 59% of learners considered enrolling in an e-learning program due to the pandemic.

MOOCs and revenue figures

MOOCs – massive online open courses – are big-scale. They offer classes to anyone, anywhere, often for free. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity lead the charge, providing access to quality education from top institutions. Students worldwide can now learn from experts without hefty tuition fees.

MOOCs also offer specialized courses or "nanodegrees." These are in-depth, skill-focused programs that come with a price tag. They cater to professionals aiming to move their careers forward.

• 220 million people said they had registered for at least one MOOC by 2022.
• 40 million people signed up for MOOCs in 2021.
• In the UK, MOOCs have a completion rate of less than 13%.

• The Asia-Pacific region is set to be the fastest-growing MOOC market from 2020 to 2025.
• 79% of MOOC users hold a degree.

Mobile and tech-driven learning statistics

Smartphones and tablets make learning portable. Waiting at the bus stop? That's a chance to complete a lesson.

Tech advancements also mean interactive learning. Augmented reality, for instance, brings lessons to life. Imagine studying anatomy with 3D models popping up on your screen or learning history through virtual tours of ancient sites. 

But learning isn't just reading or watching videos. Tech-enabled learning uses games, quizzes, and challenges to make studying fun and engaging.

• 67% of American college students complete some coursework on their mobile phones.

• 57% of students possess school-assigned mobiles.
• In 2021, 80% of schools either purchased or planned to purchase more tech for students.
• Only 16% of students globally used radio for education.

Making learning fun and exciting

The figures speak for themselves. E-learning has profoundly shifted how we approach education. With millions signing up for online courses, the digital classroom's potential seems limitless. 

With e-learning’s growth comes evolution as it adapts to the needs of a diverse global audience. The future of schooling is here – it's online, inclusive, and dynamic. E-learning isn’t just changing how we learn; it's redefining it for generations.

Learn more about the latest trends in online learning platforms.