The rapid growth of internet users has fueled a remarkable surge in IoT devices. By the end of 2024, the number of IoT devices is expected to reach 18.8 billion, with forecasts projecting a rise to 40 billion by 2030.
In this post, we’ll explore the global IoT landscape, take a closer look at the demographics behind these devices, and uncover some interesting trends shaping the future.
Number Of IoT Devices 2024: At A Glance
- The number of IoT devices is estimated to reach 18.8 billion by the end of 2024.
- IoT device adoption is expected to surge to 40 billion by 2030.
- Two-thirds of all devices worldwide are IoT-enabled.
- Greater China leads globally with the highest number of IoT devices, accounting for 5.04 billion.
- Europe and North America collectively host over 3 billion IoT-connected devices.
How Many IoT Devices Are There?
The number of connected IoT devices is projected to reach 18.8 billion by the end of 2024, a 13% increase from the previous year.
In 2023, there were 16.6 billion IoT devices globally, marking a substantial 15% growth compared to 2022.
Looking ahead, this momentum is expected to continue, with estimates suggesting the number of connected IoT devices will surge to 40 billion by 2030.
This rapid expansion highlights the increasing integration of IoT technologies across industries and daily life.
| Year | Number of IOT Devices |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16.6 billion |
| 2024* | 18.8 billion |
| 2030* | 40 billion |
Source: IOT Analytics
IoT Devices By Region
Greater China has the largest number of IoT-connected devices worldwide as of 2024.
Greater China has over 5.55 billion IoT devices. At the same time, Europe and North America each have more than 3 billion IoT devices as of 2024.
Here are further details about the number of IoT-connected devices recorded in different regions worldwide in 2023 and 2024.
| Region | Number Of IoT-Connected Devices In 2023 | Number Of IoT-Connected Devices In 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 184.9 million | 213 |
| Europe | 3,479.4 million | 3,918 |
| Greater China | 5,036.6 million | 5,552.30 |
| India and South Asia | 276.5 million | 357.6 |
| Japan | 928.8 million | 1,055.30 |
| Latin America | 640.6 million | 751.7 |
| MENA | 280.9 million | 330.6 |
| North America | 3,218.3 million | 3,629 |
| Russia & Central Asia | 289.2 million | 335.8 |
| South East Asia | 348.2 million | 428.6 |
| South Korea | 375 million | 411.6 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 79.8 million | 213 |
Source: Statista.
The IoT devices in greater China are anticipated to cross 8 billion by the end of 2030.
At the same time, IoT devices in North America and Europe are expected to cross 6 billion in the same time period.
Here are further details about the forecasted number of IoT devices in different regions in the table below:
| Region | 2030 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Greater China | 8.57 billion | 5.04 billion |
| Europe | 6.56 billion | 3.48 billion |
| North America | 6.24 billion | 3.22 billion |
| Japan | 1.77 billion | 0.93 billion |
| Latin America | 1.54 billion | 0.64 billion |
| South Korea | 0.62 billion | 0.38 billion |
| South East Asia | 1.04 billion | 0.35 billion |
| Russia & Central Asia | 0.66 billion | 0.29 billion |
| Middle East and North Africa | 0.73 billion | 0.28 billion |
| India and South Asia | 1.03 billion | 0.28 billion |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 0.26 billion | 0.1 billion |
Source: Transform Insights, Statista.
IoT Devices By Country
The top 5 countries for IoT are the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Germany.
As of 2024, these countries have the highest number of IoT devices as well as the largest IoT markets.
Source: Byte Beam.
What Proportion Of Devices Are IoT?
Approximately 2 in 3 devices use IoT as of 2024.
The number of IoT devices outnumbered the non-IOT devices globally in 2020. By 2025, approximately 3 in 4 devices are expected to be IoT devices.
This means the ratio of IoT devices to non-IoT devices will be 3:1 in 2025.
Here are further details about the number of IoT and non-IoT active devices worldwide recorded over the years.
| Year | Number Of loT Devices | Number Of Non-loT Devices |
|---|---|---|
| 2025* | 30.9 | 10.3 |
| 2024* | 24.4 | 10.2 |
| 2023 | 19.8 | 10.2 |
| 2022 | 16.4 | 10.1 |
| 2021 | 13.8 | 10 |
| 2020 | 11.7 | 9.9 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | 8 | 9.9 |
| 2017 | 6.1 | 9.9 |
| 2016 | 4.6 | 9.8 |
Source: Statista.
Global IoT Adoption By Use Case
The top use case of IoT adoption was remote asset monitoring, accounting for 34%.
Smart supply chains accounted for the top three IoT device use cases.
Here are further details about the leading IoT adoption rate by use case worldwide:e
| Use Case | IoT Adoption Rate |
|---|---|
| Remote asset monitoring (read-only) | 34% |
| Process automation | 33% |
| Remote asset monitoring and control (read/write) | 32% |
| Vehicle fleet management (track/trace) | 31% |
| Location tracking (e.g. GPS) | 31% |
| Asset/Plant performance optimization | 31% |
| Quality control and management | 30% |
| Goods condition monitoring in transit | 29% |
| Predictive maintenance | 29% |
| On-site track and trace | 29% |
Source: Statista.
Manufacturing operations see the highest spending among IoT use cases.
Production asset management, supply chain resilience, inventory intelligence, and public safety are also some of the top IoT use cases that see large spending.
These use cases are responsible for over one-third of the overall IoT spending in the United States.
Source: FutureIoT
Future Of IoT Devices
According to Spiceworks, there will be 34.4 billion IoT devices by 2032.
The report further adds that IoT devices are expected to grow with a CAGR of 10%. Besides, the annual device shipments are predicted to grow from 3.6 billion to 7.9 billion between 2022 and 2032.
Source: Spiceworks.
According to a forecast made by the International Data Corporation (IDC), there will be 41.6 billion IoT devices in 2025.
These devices will be capable of generating 79.4 zettabytes (ZB) of data. Most of these devices are found in our homes, workplaces, and in our day-to-day lives.
Source: Dell.
Conclusion: The Number Of IoT Devices Is Estimated To Reach 18.8 Billion In 2024
The rapid expansion of IoT devices highlights how connected technology is becoming an integral part of our lives. By 2024, the number of IoT devices is expected to reach 18.8 billion, up from 16.6 billion in 2023.
This is just the beginning; projections show that by 2030, this number could skyrocket to 40 billion. This remarkable expansion is fueled by increasing internet access, technological innovation, and the widespread adoption of IoT across industries, from healthcare to smart homes, making our world more connected than ever.
