Top eLearning Statistics, Facts, Trends, and More

Quick Summary: The education industry has been revolutionized with eLearning becoming popular among students, corporate employees, and knowledge seekers. The continuous expansion of the online education market has created new opportunities for every industry. These eLearning trends don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. This is what we are going to talk about in this eLearning statistics blog with facts and numbers. Let’s read some interesting facts and statistics about online learning.

eLearning is becoming more and more popular with every passing year. It’s already a multi-billion-dollar industry, with the global eLearning industry expected to reach $1 trillion in valuation by 2032. In fact, if we consider today’s scenario, then the global eLearning market size is $399.3 Billion.

Many learning institutions, corporate organizations, and non-profits are shifting towards online education. And that makes the learning experience more accessible. Whether graduate students or corporate learners, eLearning method is found easier to pursue higher education and upskilling trainings.

However, this doesn’t mean that online education doesn’t have hurdles to overcome. Keeping online students engaged has always been a challenge. Despite these challenges, we have found some facts and data that show the rise of eLearning.

And in this post, we are going to talk about the most interesting facts and statistics of eLearning you need to know in 2026.

Top eLearning Statistics

• Revenue from the online learning industry is expected to reach $279.30 billion by 2029.
• The global eLearning market is expected to reach $336.98 billion by 2026.
• The CAGR of the eLearning market is expected to reach 9.1% from 2018 to 2026.
• Around 90% of organizations offer digital learning to their employees.
• 68% of employees prefer to learn at work.
• In the last five years, the number of registered learners on Coursera – an online learning platform, has increased by 438%.
• Industry content is leading the race in steering Coursera’s consumer revenue growth, with Google’s content single-handedly forecasted to raise $100 million in revenue for the company.
• The global online learning/eLearning market is projected to reach nearly $400 billion by 2026 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% leading up to 2026.
• Market forecasts also indicate the global eLearning industry could exceed $375 billion by 2026, demonstrating accelerating adoption.
• The United States remains the largest regional contributor with USD 99.84 billion projected revenue by 2026, while India’s eLearning revenue is expected at about USD 7.57 billion driven by high CAGR (25.7%).
• 77% of U.S. organizations use eLearning for internal professional development and talent upskilling.
• Global markets experiencing 30% annual market growth include India, Thailand, the Philippines, and China.
• The largest consumer market – Asia, sees a 20% annual growth in its revenue through the online learning industry.
• A report by Global Market Insights states that eLearning which was valued at $320.96 bn in 2024, is bound to boost to about $539.88 bn by 2028 at a CAGR of 14.1%.
• 90% of companies provide some form of online learning programs to their employees.
• A high of 68% of employees prefer learning, training, and development activities at work.
• Many organizations in the USA experienced a 42% boost in income with the adoption of e-learning.
• The online learning platform users are expected to reach 57 million by 2027.
• Business retention rates rose from 25% to 60% with the eLearning market industry.
• eLearning is a rapidly growing market in the education sector. Therefore, many organizations are planning to adopt eLearning software development.
• By 2025, the global eLearning market is anticipated to reach $350 billion.
• Between 2021 and 2026, the corporate eLearning industry is projected to grow by almost 142%.
• Online learning reduces energy consumption by 90%. So, if energy consumption reduction is on your 2024 goal board, e-learning would be the best choice to go by!
• The affordability of an online education program is a deciding factor for 60% of undergraduates. Nonetheless, 39% of them believe that the program's or school's reputation is the most important determining factor.
• The implementation of e-learning led to over $200 million savings for IT companies in the USA.
• 40% of Fortune 500 companies have implemented eLearning.
• In the US, 75% of institutions intend to operate entirely online. Online courses increase student retention by 25% to 60%.
• Corporate eLearning takes 40%–60% less time than traditional classroom trainings.
• 98% of US businesses intended to use e-learning.
• With a $22.6 billion value, BYJU's, an e-learning startup in India, is the largest Unicorn in the country and the thirteenth largest globally.

Let’s go through the evolution of the global eLearning market based on segmentation between 2019 and 2026.

Statistics of eLearning Software and Tools for 2026

Learning Management Software (LMS) and authoring tools are the two most popular types of software used for eLearning. Although their constant growth can occasionally make a buyer’s decision more complex, there’s still an option to suit every preference and price range.

Let’s go through the eLearning statistics for software and tools.

• Around 89–93% of companies worldwide use a Learning Management System (LMS) for online learning and workforce training.
• In higher education, 99% of universities and colleges use an LMS, and 87% of faculty actively use them to enhance teaching and student learning.
• 39% of U.S. companies planned to invest in online learning tools in 2025 (including LMS and other platforms).
• Investment in authoring and related tools saw slight declines in survey data, with 11–16% of companies investing in authoring tools or content development in 2025.
• The global LMS market is projected to grow from $28.6 billion in 2025 to $70.8 billion by 2030, at 19.9% CAGR.
• eLearning technologies (platforms, tools, and associated solutions) are part of an expanding market, projected to exceed $375 billion by 2026.
• The eLearning authoring tools software market was valued at USD 1.14 billion in 2024 and is expected to expand rapidly — with growth forecasts showing more than 14% CAGR through 2037.
• Alternative forecasts project the authoring tools market at USD 6.16 billion in 2024, growing to USD 17.58 billion by 2030 (approx. 19.1% CAGR).
• There are 800 LMS providers on the market.
• The market for authoring software is expected to grow to $2.5 billion by 2028.
• The worldwide collaborative authoring tools market is forecasted to rise at a CAGR of 13.1% from $1774.5 mn in 2022 to $5956.7 mn in 2032.
• The most often utilized technologies are mobile applications (36%), quick eLearning tools (40%), and LMSs (89%).
• An enterprise learning management software (LMS) is used by 89% of US businesses for their online training.
• 30% of companies partly or entirely outsource LMS development or hosting.

Corporate eLearning Statistics and Facts for 2026

Corporate training and development is one of the most important resources for eLearning. Here, we have noted down some amazing statistics about corporate LMS.

• IBM saved around $200 million after switching to eLearning.
• Companies with training programs have 218% higher revenue per employee.
• Dow Chemicals switched to eLearning tools and saved $34 million.
• Employee engagement increases by 18% for businesses that implement eLearning.
• The global eLearning market is projected to reach $375 billion by 2026.
• The global corporate eLearning market was valued at about $37.34 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $42.38 billion in 2026.

• Online learning often shortens training time by up to 60% and reduces overall costs.
• Corporate eLearning has been shown to increase business revenue for 42% of the companies.
• A 2022 study found that three out of four Millennial and Gen Z employees are likely to leave their jobs over time if they lack opportunities for professional development.
• According to 59% of L&D professionals, upskilling and reskilling will be the top priorities for employee training programs.
• Corporate eLearning boosts employee retention by up to 80%.
• Nearly six in ten (59%) learning and development leaders anticipate that upskilling and reskilling initiatives will dominate organizational training priorities over the coming years.

• According to 45% of businesses, learning is incorporated into the culture at a level of four out of five.
• 50% of organizations believe their training strategy prepares them for the future.
• 94% of employees are ready to stick with a company that makes learning and development investments for its staff.
• Attract the next-gen employees at work with training and development provisions in 2024 - 59% of millennials would apply for a job at an organization that makes training investments.
• After the pandemic, 47% of businesses intend to integrate online and in-person instruction.
• 93% of companies offer compliance training partially or entirely online.
• Around the world, 58% of employees said they would prefer to learn at their own speed.

By 2026, the corporate eLearning industry is expected to be worth $50 billion.

The corporate eLearning industry is anticipated to expand by 15% a year, primarily due to corporate use of eLearning.

82% of businesses undertake at least some of their compliance training via eLearning.

In 2018, a training magazine published industry research showing that more than half of firms offered some or all of their compliance training online, with 28% doing it entirely.

Addressing skill or knowledge gaps is one of the top three L&D priorities of 29% of the respondents in 2023 as per Learning at Work 2023 survey.

38% of respondents expect the use of digital or online solutions to increase in the next 12 months and 29% expect its investment to increase.

demand remains at an all-time high, with 85% of L&D professionals reporting an increase in requests for digital learning.

Over half of the organizations surveyed by Brandon Hall Group highlighted that their approach to L&D was critical to employee retention and becoming a market leader.

Online learning and development programs are used by 62% of businesses to fill in knowledge gaps among employees.

While eLearning can be used for many things in business settings, the most common application is closing knowledge gaps among employees. This is the primary application of eLearning in the workplace, according to 62% of businesses.

Worldwide, 44% of workers think e-learning is an effective way to learn.

According to the survey, several in-person and virtual learning environments are more beneficial than this one, including:

• On-the-job or experiential learning (90%)
• Mentoring or coaching (83%)
• Classroom training (78%)
• Formal curriculum or courses at a college or professional certification program (60%)
• Videos (57%)
• Online simulation games (54%)
• Virtual instructor-led training (52%)

However, there are some employees who believe that eLearning is more helpful than:

• Podcasts (35%)
• Augmented reality (30%)
• Virtual reality (29%)
• Learning or social collaboration apps for employees (23%)
• Mobile device notifications or messages (20%)

67% of businesses provide smartphone e-learning.

Businesses are starting to design training programs that can be used on mobile devices.

eLearning Statistics for Business 2026

93% of businesses worldwide intend to adopt online learning.

Companies that do not currently have online knowledge will include online education into their business strategy in order to assist staff members in developing new skills and upskilling current ones.

On average, 42% of businesses that use eLearning generate higher income.

The utilization of online learning platforms by nearly half of businesses results in increased revenue, which boosts overall business revenue. Companies that use e-learning generate higher returns than those that don't—more than 4 out of 10 times.

Between 2017 and 2026, corporate eLearning is projected to increase by more than 250%.

The market for corporate eLearning was estimated to be worth $14.23 billion in 2017 and is projected to grow to $50 billion by 2026. The ease of learning, affordability, accessibility, and rising internet user numbers are the main drivers of this market's rapid expansion.

IBM saved over $200 million by switching to online learning.

Businesses can cut expenses related to travel, lodging, flat rentals, equipment, teachers, and other expenses. Upon considering all of these costs, it becomes more evident how a business or institution such as IBM is able to make such substantial financial savings.

Employee engagement can rise by up to 18% with e-learning.

By providing e-learning courses for professional development, you can increase your employees' sense of worth and create avenues for career advancement. Better workplace morale and decreased staff turnover are the outcomes of this increase in employee engagement.

According to 72% of organizations, eLearning gives them a competitive advantage.

Businesses think that by upskilling their staff, they can stay ahead of the competition and keep up with the rapidly evolving technologies.

The market for corporate online learning is projected to reach $50 billion by 2026.

The market for corporate e-learning was valued at $14.23 billion globally in 2017 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% to reach $49.87 billion by 2026.

88–90% of global enterprises now use eLearning as a primary or hybrid training model.

Digital learning has become the default for onboarding, compliance, and continuous skill development, enabling organizations to scale training globally while maintaining consistency and speed.

59% of L&D leaders rank upskilling and reskilling as their top priority through 2026.

As AI, cloud, and automation reshape job roles, enterprises are shifting from role-based training to skills-based learning to future-proof their workforce.

Businesses using eLearning reduce training costs by 30–50%.

Online learning minimizes instructor fees, travel expenses, and productivity loss, delivering measurable cost efficiency without compromising learning outcomes.

72% of organizations report faster skill deployment through digital learning tools.

Self-paced modules, microlearning, and on-demand access allow employees to acquire new capabilities exactly when the business needs them.

eLearning improves knowledge retention by 25–60%, compared to 8–10% for classroom-only training.

Interactive content, repetition, and real-world simulations significantly enhance learning effectiveness and long-term skill retention.

77% of enterprises rely on LMS platforms to manage and measure learning outcomes.

LMS adoption enables centralized training delivery, real-time progress tracking, compliance reporting, and performance analytics across distributed teams.

Over 70% of employees prefer self-paced digital learning over traditional formats.

Flexible access empowers learners to train at their own pace, improving engagement, completion rates, and overall learner satisfaction.

Organizations with mature eLearning strategies are 42% more likely to lead digital transformation initiatives.

Continuous learning cultures accelerate technology adoption, improve cross-functional agility, and strengthen innovation readiness.

45%+ of enterprises now use AI-powered learning tools.

AI-driven personalization, skill gap analysis, and adaptive learning paths help organizations deliver targeted training at scale.

Corporate eLearning accounts for over 40% of total eLearning market demand by 2026.

Enterprise use cases—such as compliance, cybersecurity training, leadership development, and technical upskilling—are driving the fastest market growth.

Academic eLearning Statistics

eLearning has made a huge impact in the academic world as well. Here are some academic eLearning statistics for schools and higher education.

Around 64% of middle school children in the USA use digital learning tools every day.

Even though college students are often associated with eLearning, younger age groups also increasingly use digital learning tools. Every day, 64% of middle school students use some kind of educational technology. In primary schools, this percentage is marginally lower at 45%.

43% of students think that eLearning tools are beneficial for homework and studying.

About half of students say that they find e-learning resources to be of great assistance in finishing their assignments and studying outside of the classroom.

StuDocu is an example of an e-learning platform; students may obtain a wealth of free educational materials from them to assist with notes and course work.

81% of students said that using eLearning tools helps them get better marks.

Similarly, eLearning resources are turning out to be crucial in assisting students in maintaining the appropriate level of their grades. More than half of students say that e-learning is crucial to their ability to raise and keep their grades.

For online courses, student retention rates range from 35% to 60%.

Compared to in-person classes, online courses have substantially lower dropout rates. The student retention rate for in-person courses is approximately 10%. For eLearning courses, the average retention rate is nearly three times higher.

After the pandemic, 46% of students said they would like to complete some or all of their coursework online.

2020 was a fantastic year for the education sector. Many students favored the change, and less than half said they would like to continue taking courses online until things get back to normal.

Over 90% of higher education institutions worldwide use a Learning Management System (LMS).

LMS platforms have become the backbone of academic delivery, enabling centralized course management, digital assessments, student tracking, and seamless integration with academic systems across campuses.

More than 65% of universities offer fully online or hybrid degree programs.

Institutions are expanding digital programs to improve accessibility, attract global learners, and accommodate diverse student needs without being limited by physical infrastructure.

Global academic eLearning enrollment exceeds 300 million learners.

Online education continues to scale across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning due to affordability, remote access, and growing demand for continuous education.

Online course completion rates have improved by 15–20% with modern eLearning tools.

Interactive content, gamification, AI-driven reminders, and adaptive learning paths are addressing engagement challenges and reducing dropout rates.

Students using digital learning platforms show 25–60% higher knowledge retention.

Multimedia instruction, repetition, and personalized pacing allow learners to better absorb and retain information compared to traditional lecture-based models.

Over 70% of students prefer blended or fully online learning formats.

Flexibility, self-paced learning, and mobile access enable students to balance academics with work, internships, and personal commitments.

AI-powered academic tools are used by more than 50% of higher education institutions.

Universities are leveraging AI for personalized learning paths, automated grading, early intervention alerts, and predictive academic analytics.

Nearly 60% of universities use digital assessment and online proctoring tools.

Secure digital examination systems support scalable assessments while preserving academic integrity in remote and hybrid learning environments.

Mobile learning adoption among students has surpassed 75%.

Smartphones and tablets are now primary learning devices, making mobile-first platforms essential for consistent engagement and accessibility.

Online Learning Trends and Statistics for 2026

Online learning trends are rapidly growing. The majority of countries and institutions have created online education sectors that can be emulated in other places.

Let’s understand the overview of online learning trends and statistics.

• The global eLearning/online learning market is projected to exceed USD 375–400 billion by 2026, driven by enterprise training, higher education, and lifelong learning.
• 88–90% of organizations worldwide now use online learning platforms for employee training, onboarding, and compliance.
• Online learning delivers 25–60% higher knowledge retention, compared to 8–10% for traditional classroom learning.
• Over 70% of learners prefer blended or fully online learning models, combining flexibility with structured guidance.
• 45–50% of institutions and enterprises now use AI-powered online learning tools for personalization, assessments, and analytics.
• MOOC platforms collectively serve 300+ million learners worldwide, with platforms like Coursera exceeding 140 million registered users.
• Businesses adopting online learning report 30–50% reduction in training costs compared to instructor-led models.
• One of the most established online learning platforms - Udemy, boasts over 20,000 professionals and around 12 million students enrolled in courses.
• Another platform - Teachable, has over 20,000 online courses and over 7500 professionals. There are almost 3 million students enrolled.
• Tutors on other sites, such as Ruzuku, Academy of mind, and Skillshare, can make up to $40,000 annually.
• 75% of US learning institutions depended on these platforms.
• The European and US markets contribute 70% of most users of the eLearning services market globally.
• Online learning tools are used everyday by 63% of US students.
• LinkedIn Learning was established after LinkedIn's $1.5 billion acquisition of Lynda.com two years after investing it with $103 million in 2013. The value of its market rose significantly.
• Videos are now a crucial component of online education. As a result, Sony sold $500 million worth of PlayStation VR in 2017.
• A significant portion of American college students—67%—have finished their coursework on their phones, if not entirely.
• If given the opportunity, 12% of those who did not finish their studies using this technique would have.
• On average, employees have only 24 minutes a week to learn, making it difficult for them to advance in their jobs.

Online Learning Statistics by Country for 2026

Online learning has left a huge impact globally, and every industry from all locations is taking full advantage of it.

Let’s read the latest online learning stats for 2026 by country.

• The majority of the global eLearning industry is in Europe and the US.
• The Asia Pacific eLearning market is anticipated to expand by 11% between 2020 and 2026.
• By 2026, the eLearning market in the Asia Pacific will grow to over USD $90 Billion.
• Over the next five years, there is a projected $28 billion growth in the European e-learning sector.
• The European eLearning market is expected to grow by $147.7 billion between 2021 and 2025 - eLearning in Europe is projected to grow even faster than the global average. Technavio’s report estimated that the European eLearning market would increase an average of 16% annually over five years until 2025.
• Until 2028, the German eLearning market is expected to expand at a 22% annual rate.
• The global corporate eLearning space is projected to reach $44.6 billion by 2028 - Recent forecasts predict the corporate eLearning market should grow an average of 10.5% per year, reaching $44.6 billion by 2028. That’s almost double the market’s 2021 value of only $22.5 billion.
• The eLearning market in India is forecast to reach $8.6 billion by 2026 - India is one of the more exciting emerging eLearning markets to keep an eye on. Cheaper and more accessible 4G internet means that more rural Indian communities are getting online. And India-based edtech companies like BJYU’s, UpGrad, and Doubtnut are at the forefront of the surge.

United States

• The U.S. online education market is projected to generate approximately $99.84 billion in 2026 revenue, making it the largest national market globally.
• User penetration in the U.S. online education market is expected to reach ~19.5% in 2026, with ongoing growth in digital courses and corporate training.

China

• China is the second-largest online learning market, with estimated revenues of $45.35 billion in 2026 from digital education services.

India

• India’s online education market is expected to reach $7.57 billion in 2026, driven by rapid internet adoption and mobile learning uptake.
• Internet penetration in India reached 70% by 2025, substantially expanding potential online learner bases and platform adoption.

Asia Pacific

• Asia Pacific is forecast to be a high-growth region for online learning, with countries including India, China, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia leading digital education adoption by 2029.

Europe

• European online education markets (including UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy) are forecast to grow steadily through 2029 as digital learning infrastructure expands.

Future of eLearning

By going through the above facts and stats about the eLearning market industry, we can predict that there are many things we can see in the future as far as the eLearning industry is concerned. Let’s read what the future of eLearning holds.

• Around 50% of all corporate training is anticipated to be delivered online by 2025, up from less than 15% prior to COVID-19.
• By the end of 2026, the online learning market is also widely projected to exceed $370–400 billion, driven by enterprise training, higher education, and lifelong learning demand.
• Longer-term projections indicate the eLearning market could accelerate to over $665 billion by 2031, sustaining double-digit CAGR as digital adoption expands.
• AI-enabled eLearning tools are becoming foundational, with adaptive learning systems, intelligent tutoring, and personalized pathways reshaping the learner experience.
• The adaptive learning market—which uses AI to tailor content to learners’ strengths and needs—is projected to grow at 19.7% CAGR through 2033.
• According to predictions, the mobile learning industry is expected to develop at a rate of 27% per year through 2028.
• The e-learning market is projected to reach $848.12 billion by 2030 from its estimated $210.1 billion in 2021.
• By 2026, the worldwide e-learning market is expected to grow to approximately $400 billion.
• By 2027, there might be a $12.5 billion market for personalized e-learning thanks to the increasing use of AI in adaptive learning.
• Through 2026, learning experience platforms (LXPS), which are expected to grow at a 25% CAGR, will upend the LMS industry.

Implement eLearning with RadixwebeLearning is a wide spectrum. Hence, it has become an integral part of many institutes, companies, and schools, from online education to virtual onboarding programs. As a result, eLearning has made learning easier, smoother, and accessible for students and professionals, which was quite difficult just a few years ago.The interesting eLearning statistics and facts above have proved that online learning and education are the future of today’s learning landscape. To leverage this immense potential, partnering with a top-notch education software development company is crucial in paving the way for a successful educational journey in this digital world.And if you are planning to be part of this online learning journey, connect with Radixweb. You can leverage our 25+ market-tested EdTech solutions with end-to-end assistance from ‘The Experts’ of Radixweb. Experience ‘Innovation’ and ‘Excellence’ for your custom eLearning development project.

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