Online E-Learning Statistics & Trends [2024 Update]

The educational disruption caused by the unforeseen pandemic has brought forth an unprecedented revolution in the educational landscape. Lectures and seminars or learning of any sort no longer have to be confined to a physical venue thanks to digital toolboxes – ranging from mobile devices to virtual learning systems to online courses.

The remarkable shift from traditional in-class instruction to digital learning followed by the eLearning industry’s skyrocketing growth shows no signs of slowing down.

Whether you want to jump into E-learning as a student or a course instructor aiming to harness its potential, here are a few highlights comprising the most critical statistics covered in this article for you to work through:

  • 2 out of 5 Fortune 500 companies rely on E-learning tools
  • The Global E-learning market is projected to reach $457.8 Billion by 2026
  • China is forecasted to become the largest market for E-learning by 2026
  • The U.S. and Europe alone comprise over 70% of the E-learning industry
  • 4.4 million U.S. households lack access to E-learning tools

Our roundup of 21 key online E-learning statistics can help you develop a better understanding of the major E-learning and online education trends and what the future holds for them:

The E-learning market is expected to reach $457.8 Billion by 2026

Source: GlobeNewswire ^

As more and more institutions offer mobile learning opportunities to people from far-flung areas, the E-learning market is set to grow at a rate of 10.3% to reach a whopping $457.8 Billion.

Comprehensive training programs lead to a 218% increase in revenue per employee.

Source: eLearning Industry ^

Based on the report of the eLearning Industry, Deloitte mentioned that the average employee needs 24 minutes or 1% of their workweek for learning purposes. This microlearning approach helps the employees in absorbing the latest knowledge and skills available to them. The process leads to higher revenues and increased competitive advantage.

China is forecasted to become the largest market for E-learning by 2026, with a valuation of U.S. $105.7 billion

Source: StrategyR ^

China’s E-learning market will surpass the USA by reaching a projected U.S. $105.7 billion market size by 2026. The boost is attributed to China’s policies to accelerate the shift to newer learning methods reliant on the Internet.

65% of millennials chose their current jobs because of personal and professional development opportunities.

Source: eLearning Infographics ^

According to eLearning Infographics, 65% of millennials prefer their current jobs that give them greater chances for both personal and professional development. These digital natives value the work-life balance with greater flexibility and professional growth that requires more space for a continuous online learning process.

Studies reveal that the average salary for professional eLearning developers is $79,526.

Source: Glassdoor ^

According to Glassdoor, studies reveal that the average salary for professional eLearning developers is $79,526. This shows that LMS developers not only have an exciting and fulfilling career. They also receive a rewarding salary that could even go above that figure. This also proves that learning management systems is a viable career as it’s higher than the national average annual salary by $20k.

68% of employees say training and development is the company’s most important policy.

Source: Clear Company ^

Higher premiums are placed on employees who have more skills over the others. This is the outstanding reason why 68% of employees say that training and development is the company’s most important policy. Employees want continuous eLearning, training, and development not only to gain more skills that they can use to enhance their career but also to get into higher-paying positions.

The COVID-19 pandemic even boosts and yields advantages to the online e-learning statistics and trends for 2024. Even after its peak, eLearning became a trend and is continuing to become a norm, not just a fad.

MOOCs learners exceeded by 180 million in 2020.

Source: Class Central ^

According to Class Central – a research and analysis company, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) exceeded 180 million learners, owing to the pandemic.

72% of the organizations believe that E-Learning gives them a competitive advantage

Source: Elearningindustry ^

Giving employees the knowledge they need to execute their operational responsibilities well can improve the quality of their deliverables and the overall bottom line. Therefore, the majority of the organizations surveyed consider E-learning a major competitive advantage.

Online learning platforms are used by 43 percent of students for homework assistance.

Source: Markinstyle.co ^

Students are heavily relying on online learning platforms to help them with their homework assignments. Top universities have made their lessons available online to improve the quality of education.

2 out of every 5 Fortune 500 companies take advantage of E-learning

Source: Findstack.com ^

Fortune 500 companies recognize the value of eLearning and incorporate it into their business models. Research shows that there is a correlation between the use of eLearning in these companies and their success.

The United States and Europe make up for 70% of the global E-Learning industry

Source: The Drum ^

The United States and Europe collectively account for 70% of the global eLearning market – a trend that shows that those in developed countries drive the majority of eLearning activity.

E-learning causes a 25-60% boost in retention rates

Source: Forbes ^

According to the Research Institute of America, E-learning can boost retention rates by 25-60% compared to traditional training. The research cites a greater control over the learning process as one of the key drivers of higher retention.

In 2020, E-learning was adopted by 90 % of companies worldwide

Source: Research and Markets ^

The “Corporate E-Learning – Global Market Outlook (2017-2026)” report by Research and Markets shows that E-learning was used as a training tool by the majority of the companies worldwide. The massive shift is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

70% of students agree that online classes are better than traditional classroom settings

Source: University of the Potomac ^

Approximately 70% of all students believe that online instruction is as good as or better than a traditional classroom setting. The results were part of a research carried on to compare online learning with traditional learning.

In a typical week, 56 percent of U.S. college students use laptops in the classroom

Source: Statista ^

Taking notes on your laptop is much easier, especially if a course instructor speaks fast! This study also found that 51 percent of people use tablets every week.

75% of teachers believe that digital learning content will replace printed one

Source: Deloitte ^

According to Deloitte’s “Digital Education Survey”, 75% of teachers surveyed believe that digital learning content will completely replace printed textbooks within the next decade.

EdTech investments touched $18.7 billion in 2019

Source: Business Insider ^

The global educational technology (EdTech) investments reached around $18.7 billion in 2019, with the proliferation of newer, faster, and widely available gadgets.

9 out of 10 teachers report troubleshooting issues when dealing with online learning technology

Source: Edweek ^

Nearly 9 out of every 10 teachers report allocating more time troubleshooting technology than when they were using physical classrooms. 

4.4 million households with children don’t have access to online learning

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ^

According to the Household Pulse Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau that included 52 million households, 4.4 million households with children cannot access computers for online learning purposes consistently.

Students that spend more than 60 minutes/week on E-learning activities perform better

Source: McKinsey ^

According to a global data analysis by McKinsey, US students whose device usage varies around 60 minutes per week achieve better academic results.

12% and 32% of U.S. teachers term smartphones as useful for school assignments

Source: U.S. Department Of Education ^

According to a research report by the U.S. education department, between 12% and 32% of U.S. teachers agree with smartphones’ usefulness towards their student’s assignments.

Wrap Up

The drastic educational shift that has led to the rise of eLearning is the need of the hour, considering the pre-existing inaccessibility of educational resources in various regions. However, since E-learning methods are quick to deploy, effective, and affordable, their rapid worldwide adoption appears to be permanent in nature.

Ahsan is a writer at Website Rating who covers a broad spectrum of modern technology topics. His articles delve into SaaS, digital marketing, SEO, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, offering readers comprehensive insights and updates on these rapidly evolving fields.

The "WSR Team" is the collective group of expert editors and writers specializing in technology, internet security, digital marketing, and web development. Passionate about the digital realm, they produce well-researched, insightful, and accessible content. Their commitment to accuracy and clarity makes Website Rating a trusted resource for staying informed in the dynamic digital world.

Lindsay Liedke

Lindsay is the Chief Editor at Website Rating, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the site's content. She leads a dedicated team of editors and technical writers, focusing on areas such as productivity, online learning, and AI writing. Her expertise ensures the delivery of insightful and authoritative content in these evolving fields.

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