eLearning Statistics 2023 — Facts, Trends & Predictions 

E-learning has taken the world by storm ever since the pandemic took place, but how far has it changed the world? Recent eLearning statistics reveal that over 70% of students in the United States wish to learn through online means even after the pandemic has long gone.

In this article, I have gathered the relevant facts on e-learning statistics with proven data that will help you understand the actual growth of e-learning in today’s world.

I will also share my thoughts on the e-learning industry towards the end!

What is eLearning?

A literal definition of “online learning” is suggested in the name itself. It is a way of visually learning knowledgeable or educational modules while not being physically present in the same room as the instructor hosting the lessons. 

Over the years, online learning has developed vastly and has been curated in various forms. The most popular online learning module is self-paced learning.

With self-paced learning, you are given the freedom of taking the lessons whenever you want, however you want, and wherever you want. It is like you are carrying a pre-recorded lecture in your hands and can access it anytime from your mobile.

Through online learning, all the tricky sections are broken down into simple understanding modules, making it convenient for the average learner using it.

eLearning is a popular learning method, but it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons before you decide if it’s right for you. Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of eLearning by clicking on the links below.

• Disadvantages of Online Learning
• Benefits of Distance Learning For Students
• How Online Learning Affects Students

E-learning Statistics 2023 (Top Picks)

Here are some of the highlights from the eLearning industry as of 2023:

1. The E-Learning Market is worth over 325 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to grow at a 20% CAGR from 2022 to 2028.
2. The US e-learning market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to the forecast, it will increase by $12.81 billion between 2020 and 2024.
3. The number of online learning platform users is expected to reach 57 million by 2027.
4. After using e-learning, US firms saw a 42% boost in income. 
5. With e-Learning, business retention rates rise from 25% to 60%. 
6. For US IT businesses, e-Learning implementation resulted in savings of more than $200 million.
7. 9 out of 10 businesses offer E-learning opportunities to their employees.
8. The corporate e-learning industry is anticipated to expand by about 142% between 2021 and 2026.
9. E-learning is the quickest-growing market in the education sector.
10. 73% of students in the USA want to continue taking online classes after the pandemic.
11. 41.7% of global Fortune 500 companies use some form of E-learning technology to train their employees.
12. India’s E-learning startup Byju is the Nation’s biggest and the World’s 13th biggest Unicorn, with a valuation of $22.6 billion.

Recent eLearning Statistics (What’s New in 2023?)

Due to the advancement in technology and modernization, the scope for online learning is growing on a wide scale globally. The following are the highlights of recent online learning statistics on various parameters and their effect on global education:

E-learning statistics on Business:

13. 93% of global firms are switching to online learning since it is convenient and easy to use during pandemic situations. Even if the company does not switch completely, it will use online learning as an alternative. (Finances online)
14. Organizations using e-learning for soft skills training see over 50% more revenue per employee compared to those who don’t.
15. Employee retention rates rose from 25% to 60% for companies with comprehensive e-learning programs.
16. Companies that offer training completion incentives see course completion rates rise from 35% to 85% on average.
17. Employees who get e-learning training are 36% more likely to stay at their company for at least 3 years.
18. Corporations saved an average of $200-300 per employee when replacing instructor-led training with online courses.
19. 77% of particular companies incorporated e-learning into their work to make use of it and learn in-demand skills for the desired work related to their field, which resulted in an accelerated workflow. (E-learning Industry)
20. Employees’ preference for using self-paced e-learning lessons is 58%, which shows that most employees like to take e-learning courses in their leisure time after work or during the weekends. (NCES)
21. E-learning in corporate sectors takes 45% less time than traditional in-person learning as it disrupts the workflow and creates a mess in the schedule. (eLearning Industry)
22. Income generation scaled up in 42% of companies that used e-learning modules due to apparent reasons because the learning can be applied practically, and the rest is history. The company value grows and starts ranking at the top. (Tech Jury)

E-learning statistics Globally:

23. According to the data from Finances Online, over 93% of companies around the globe are planning to adopt e-learning.
24. $33 Billion decline in the self-paced e-learning system by 2021, which showed reports that most people prefer e-learning with live classes instead. (E-Learning Industry)
25. The SHIFT study suggested that IBM saved around $200 million by switching to online learning.
26. $38 Billion increase seen in the market exclusively for e-learning mobile is recorded, which showed that users tend to take lessons on handy devices on the run. (Finances Online)
27. 70% of e-learning traffic is obtained from Europe and the US. Although e-learning classes are consumed across the globe, the mentioned places have gathered a wide range of audiences and loyal user base. (Skill Scouter)

Let’s have a look at the size of the Global e-learning market from 2019 to 2026 by segment. 

(Source: Statista)

28. It is estimated that the E-learning market for the Asia Pacific will grow by 11% (90 billion) by 2026.
29. According to a recent study, the online market share in India is expected to hit over $8.6 billion by the year 2026.
30. The Technavio study suggests that the European online learning market is predicted to reach $28 billion in the upcoming 5 years.
31. Up to 2028, the German e-learning industry is expected to expand at a 22% CAGR.

E-learning statistics for Academics:

32. 50% of learners following the academic curriculum shifted to e-learning in 2021. Plus, most schools have started implementing e-learning into their schedule. (Skill Scouter)
33. 3% of college students in the US said that e-learning tools are useful. (Statista)
34. In the previous 12 months, 49% of students globally tried at least one online course.
35. E-learning classes promise a 72% succession rate compared to standard teaching modules. Still, in-person classes top the charts with the stats. (EdTech Magazine)
36. According to Statista, 81% of college students in the US believed that using e-learning technologies had improved their academic performance.
37. 40% of students going to college say that e-learning is more efficient than in-person training, and the modules are simplified for better understanding. (Statista)
38. 36% of students reveal that e-learning benefits structured lessons and personalized teaching. The students can easily adapt to the tutoring. (Statista)
39. 73% of students in the USA want to continue taking online classes after the pandemic. These figures are from a study by Digital Pulse Learning of over 1400 students.
40. 25-60% of students retain more material when they are learning online as compared to traditional methods. (Shiftelearning)
41. Wiley’s survey of 1,500 students reveals that more than half of students opt for online education due to the fact that it is more economical than college. (Wiley)

Here is a table showing factors that affect students choosing E-learning in 2023:

E-learning statistics on Online learning platforms:

42. As per the study from 2022, there were 220 million people who enrolled in at least one MOOC.
43. MOOCs saw a staggering 40 million sign-ups in 2021 alone. By 2022, there were 220 million sign-ups, a rapid increase.
44. Revenue in online learning platforms is projected to reach $2.85 billion in 2023.
45. The global learning management system (LMS) market is projected to grow at over 15% CAGR from 2022-2026, reaching $34 billion.
46. As of 2021, the top 3 LMS providers by market share are Cornerstone OnDemand (18%), SAP Litmos (11%), and Docebo (8%).
47. Online learning platforms’ user penetration is 11.6% in 2023 and is expected to hit 16.6% by 2027.

Here is a table showing the penetration rate of online learning platform users over the years:

48. E-learning on MOOCs might hit $25.55 billion in the following years and could pave the way to a new era in the online learning community. (Tech Jury)
49. Udemy ranks first among the best online learning platforms. Udemy also produces high-quality content in a variety of niches and categories. (Skill Scouter)
50. Followed by Udemy (49 million), Teachable has over 18 million users, making it the second most visited online learning platform on a global scale. (Skill Scouter)
51. SkillShare has over 12 million users and 35,000+ classes as of 2023.
52. The top 500 teachers on Skillshare have an average revenue of $2,000 each month, according to the Wall Street Journal.
53. Masterclass has over 150 courses across various categories as of 2023. (Masterclass)
54. A total revenue generation of $47 billion was recorded by online learning platforms, reflecting that most users prefer e-learning. (Forbes)

Impact of COVID-19 on E-learning. Will it Continue in 2023?

The COVID-19 virus has shaken the world by storm in various ways, and the e-learning sector is also one of the sectors impacted by the pandemic. 

55. In 2020, the use of e-learning platforms grew by over 400% after lockdowns and remote work arrangements.
56. There were over 51% of companies expanded their online curriculum due to COVID-19.
57. 43% of educational institutions have started venturing into e-learning modules or at least incorporated e-learning as a part of their curriculum for efficient learning. (Admissionsly)
58. 98% of examinations conducted across the world have transitioned to online mode despite the competency and the traditional protocol followed. (Admissionsly)
59. 82% of companies said they plan to continue using e-learning even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. 
60. Virtual instructor-led training saw a boom, with over 60% growth between February and May 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
61. Industry analysts predict the COVID-19 accelerated adoption of e-learning is here to stay, estimating over 30% annual growth through 2023.
62. 27% of learners say access to online training positively impacted their job security during COVID-19.
63. Mobile E-learning remains one of the fastest-growing markets in the sector. It is now forecasted that the Mobile E-learning market will continue to grow at a 25% CAGR between 2022 and 2028. This is majorly due to the increase in smartphone users due to the pandemic. (Globe News Wire)
64. 59% of respondents in Wiley’s survey said that the pandemic made them consider enrolling in an E-learning program. (Wiley)

eLearning Course Selection and Enrollment Statistics

Statista carried out a survey similar to statistic number “29” and got a different outcome. We at Prosperity for America believe that people should be aware of both sides of the coin, so we include this section to show the results of that survey. Below are the findings:

65. “specific field of study” is the leading reason for online college selection among students in the United States.

Below is the table showing all the leading reasons:

The Future of eLearning

The explosive growth of eLearning in recent years, coupled with projected market values reaching billions of dollars. This indicates a promising future for online learning platforms and sets the stage for transformative trends in the coming years.

Let’s have a look at some interesting stats on what the future of eLearning looks like.

66. By 2025, approximately 50% of all corporate training is expected to take place via e-learning platforms, up from under 15% pre-COVID.
67. Mobile learning will continue strong growth, with projections for the market to increase by 27% annually through 2028.
68. The e-learning market was worth around $210.1 billion in 2021 and is estimated to hit approximately $848.12 billion by 2030.
69. The global e-learning market is forecast to reach almost $400 billion by 2026.
70. Virtual reality-based training will see more than 900% market growth in the next 4 years, hitting $14.5 billion by 2023.
71. Adaptive learning using AI will become more widespread, personalizing e-learning experiences for a potential market size of $12.5 billion by 2027.
72. Learning experience platforms (LXPS) will disrupt the LMS market, growing at a CAGR of 25% through 2026.

E-learning Trends for 2023

Here is a quick overview of the top E-learning trends that you must look out for in 2023.

Course Creator Statistics

Behind every top-rated eLearning course is an experienced instructor – the course creators driving this $8 billion industry face increasing demand for fresh, engaging content.

Bonus: Want to become a course creator? Read our article on How to create an online course.

73. There were over 110,000 new course uploads to Udemy in 2020, the leading marketplace for individual course creators.
74.  The average Udemy course creator earns between $1,000-$2,000 annually for their courses. Top earners make over $1 million.
75. LinkedIn Learning has paid out $100 million to over 11,000 expert instructors on their platform since launching in 2015.
76. Over 75% of customers say the quality of e-learning courses is a major factor in purchasing decisions and retention.
77. Course creators can expect to spend 8-10 hours developing one hour of interactive e-learning content on average.
78. Over 80% of corporate e-learning courses are now developed using rapid authoring tools like Articulate and Adobe Captivate rather than pure programming.
79. Gamification, social learning, and microlearning are key trends that creators must incorporate more of to drive engagement.
80. The typical e-learning course development team is 3-5 people, usually consisting of an instructional designer, subject matter expert, graphic artist, and producer.
81. More than 60% of companies plan to expand their network of content creators in 2022 to meet rising e-learning demand.

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Alvin Parker

Hey, I'm Alvin and I grew up in Venice, California. I'm on a mission to help people to choose the right online learning platforms and courses. As of now, I'm exploring new eLearning platforms, courses and sharing my findings on ProsperityforAll.

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