The popularity of podcasts is growing rapidly worldwide, over 504.9 million people worldwide are expected to listen to podcasts by the end of 2024.
On average, listeners spend around 7 hours per week listening to their favorite podcast, and the popularity of comedy and true crime podcasts has increased rapidly over the past few years.
Let us explore more facts and figures about the number of podcasts and podcast listeners, as well as more facts and figures about podcasts and their usage worldwide and in the United States.
Top Podcast Statistics of 2024
- There are 4.25 million podcasts are there worldwide.
- The number of podcast listeners worldwide is estimated to reach 504.9 million in 2024.
- 62% of US Citizens have listened to a podcast.
- 36.2% of the people listen to podcasts on Apple Podcasts.
- 30% of the podcasts are 20 minutes to 40 minutes long.
How Many Podcasts Are There?
As of October 2024, around 4.25 million podcasts are there worldwide.
That’s an increase of 1.67% in the number of podcasts compared to 4.18 million podcasts recorded in May 2024.
This number can vary depending on multiple factors. If we eliminate inactive podcasts, we will see the number drop to around 4 million.
Source: Podcast Index, Spotify
How Many People Listen To Podcasts?
Over 504.9 million people are estimated to listen to podcasts worldwide as of 2024. That’s equal to 23.5% of the total internet users and an increase of 8.7% compared to 464.7 million podcast listeners as of 2023.
The boom in podcast listeners is due to the fact that, unlike other media, podcasts tend to create a deeper bond with listeners (especially if they are a niche audience).
| Year | Number of Podcast Listeners | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2024** | 504.9 million | 8.70% |
| 2023 | 464.7 million | 9.60% |
| 2022 | 424.2 million | 10.60% |
| 2021 | 383.7 million | 18.70% |
| 2020 | 333.2 million | 20.90% |
| 2019 | 274.8 million | – |
Source: Statista
Podcast Listeners In the United States
109.1 million people in the United States are estimated to listen to podcasts as of 2024. That’s a 5.31% increase in the number of podcast listeners in the country compared to 103.6 million recorded in 2023.
Here is a table displaying the number of podcast listeners in the United States by year:
| Year | Number of Podcast listeners in the United States |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 98.4 million |
| 2023 | 103.6 million |
| 2024* | 109.1 million |
| 2025* | 114.7 million |
| 2026* | 119.4 million |
Source: Statista
Where Do People Listen To Podcasts?
Spotify is the most preferred platform for listening to podcasts worldwide, with 35.8% of listeners preferring it.
Apple podcast is the second most preferred platform worldwide by podcast listeners, with 33.8% stating so.
Currently, Spotify and Apple Podcasts are leading the Podcast market, with 69.6% of the podcast listeners preferring them.
Here is a table displaying platforms on which people prefer to listen to podcasts worldwide:
| Platform | Percentage of Podcast Listeners |
|---|---|
| Spotify | 35.8% |
| Apple Podcasts | 33.8% |
| Web browser | 5.4% |
| Buzzsprout Embed player | 2.5% |
| Apple iTunes | 2.5% |
| Castbox | 2.1% |
| Google Podcasts | 1.7% |
| Overcast | 1.3% |
| Pocket Casts | 1.3% |
| Podcast Addict | 1.0% |
Source: Oberlo
Podcasts Are Growing The Fastest In North American Region
North American nations and territories will account for 46.3% of total podcast listeners by the end of 2026; Europe will follow with a listener’s share of 32.8%, and Latin America with 32.4%.
North America has a well-established podcasting culture with strong internet penetration; additionally, the increased adoption of smart speakers makes podcasts even more accessible in the region.
Here is a table showing the forecast of podcast listeners in different world regions:
| World Region | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 43.80% | 45.20% | 46.30% |
| Western Europe | 30.90% | 31.90% | 32.80% |
| Latin America | 30.30% | 31.40% | 32.40% |
| South Korea | 15.20% | 15.90% | 16.50% |
| Japan | 14.80% | 15.40% | 16.00% |
| China | 12.90% | 14.60% | 16.60% |
Source: Statista
The US Podcast Industry Will Be Worth $4 Billion In 2024
Presently, the podcasting industry in the United States is valued at $2 billion.
With 100 million active listeners, It’s the golden age for podcasting in the country. The United State’s biggest hit, The Joe Rogan Experience, is popular not only in the country but also in every corner of the world.
Global Market Size Of Podcast Industry Will Reach $30.03 Billion In 2024
The podcast industry is pointing towards immense growth in 2024.
According to the market figures, the worldwide podcasting market will be worth $30.03 billion In 2024 and is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.6% between 2023 and 2030.
Considering that CAGR, the podcast market size would be 38.36 billion in 2025 and 131.13 billion in 2030.
Here is a table showing the market size of the podcast industry over the years:
| Year | Podcast Industry Market Size |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 23.56 billion |
| 2024* | 30.03 billion |
| 2025* | 38.36 billion |
| 2026* | 49.03 billion |
| 2027* | 62.71 billion |
| 2028* | 80.07 billion |
| 2029* | 102.53 billion |
| 2030* | 131.13 billion |
79% Of Americans Are Aware Of Podcasting
As of 2024, 8 out of 10 Americans are aware of podcasts. This share was just 20% back in 2006.
That is an increase of 59% in the span of 17 years.
Source: Statista
91% Of Australians Know About Podcasts
9 out of 10 Australians above 12 are aware of podcasts.
Meanwhile, 1 in 3 Australians claimed that they have listened to podcasts in the past month.
Source: Australian Broadcast Corporation
62% Of US Citizens Have Listened To A Podcast
More than 205.5 million US citizens have listened to a podcast at least once in their lives.
An identical 2006 survey found that only 29% of the American population listened to podcasts at least once in their lives.
Here is a table showing the share of the U.S. population that has listened to podcasts over the years:
| Year | Share Of U.S. Population |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 62% |
| 2021 | 57% |
| 2020 | 55% |
| 2019 | 51% |
| 2018 | 44% |
| 2017 | 40% |
| 2016 | 36% |
| 2015 | 33% |
| 2014 | 30% |
| 2013 | 27% |
| 2012 | 29% |
US Monthly And Weekly Podcast Listeners
41% of people in the USA tune into a podcast every month.
28% of the population do it weekly, consuming around 11 episodes on average while they are at it.
As per a report by Insider Intelligence, around 144 million people in the U.S. listen to a podcast every month.
Gen Z Discovers Podcast More Than Twice The Rate Of Other Age Groups
It’s a common misconception that podcast listeners are predominantly older. However, one Spotify fan study reveals a different reality. In fact, Gen Z is leading the way in consuming podcast content, with a rate more than double that of any other age group.
32% Of People Listen To A Podcast While Driving
According to an Infinite Dial report, 32% of people tune into a podcast episode while driving, compared to 30% recorded in 2021.
Source: Edison Research.
79% Of People In The U.S.A. Listen To A Podcast From Their Smartphones
The Smartphone Is The Most Popular Device To Stream A Podcast. It is no wonder that around 280 million Americans access the internet via a smartphone.
1/4th of all Podcast listeners tune in via a web browser.
Only 6% of people use a tablet to listen to a podcast.
Note: In case you want to start your podcast, check out these best headphones for podcasting.
Apple Podcast Is King In Terms Of Podcast Downloads
Over 70% of all podcast episode download requests come from Apple Podcasts, which is much more than Spotify’s share of downloads, which is 8.9%
Here is a table showing the most popular apps that users use to save podcasts offline:
| Platform | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Apple | 70.8% |
| Spotify | 8.9% |
| Other | 5.9% |
| iHeartRadio | 3.0% |
| Alexa | 2.3% |
| Overcast | 1.6% |
| Stitcher | 1.3% |
| Amazon Music | 1.2% |
| Google Podcasts | 1.2% |
| Podcast Addict | 1.1% |
| Castbox | 1.0% |
| Chrome | 1.0% |
| Pocket Casts | 0.9% |
Source: Backlinko.
Podcasts Are Most Popular Among People Aged 12-34
According to the Infinite Dial report, 50% of people between the ages of 12 and 34 listen to podcasts every month.
Source: Edison Research.
Weekly Listeners Average 8 Podcast Episodes
An average weekly US podcast listener listens to 8 episodes.
Source: Edison Research.
Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Podcasting
With its ability to analyze vast databases in response to human-generated prompts, generative AI is transforming the way businesses access, create, and leverage information, and the Podcasting industry is no exception.
AI-driven podcasting is already reaching 45 million Americans each month. can you believe it?
We have listed some interesting insights on Generative AI’s impact on the podcasting industry below:
- AI-enabled podcasting will be worth $3 billion In 2024.
- A survey by Podbean found that 40% of podcasters are using AI tools to improve their podcasts.
- 57% of podcast listeners have used features powered by AI, such as personalized recommendations or voice-activated controls.
- AI can reduce costs for podcasters in various aspects by up to 50%.
- 85% of people believe that it’s ethical for podcasters to use AI tools to create podcast content.
- AI-powered podcasts have grown by 500% in the 2022
AI-Powered Advertising Can Increase CTR By 100%
The AI optimization of clicks has been shown to increase click-through rates by 100% on average and account visits by almost 10%. The AI optimization of visits has been found to boost account visits by 24.4% and clicks by nearly 25% on average.
Top 1% Of Podcasts Get More Than 3994 Downloads In The First 7 Days
Buzzsprout did a study in which they revealed that the top 1% of podcasts get an average of 3994+ downloads in the first 7 days of release.
Here is the overview of podcast ranks and the Average no. of downloads in the first 7 days of release:
- The top 1% of Podcasts get more than 3994 downloads.
- The top 5% of Podcasts get more than 795 downloads.
- The top 10% of Podcasts get more than 335 downloads.
- The top 25% of Podcasts get more than 93 downloads.
- The top 50% of Podcasts get more than 30 downloads.
There Are 1 Million Podcast Listeners In Singapore
According to a survey by Acast, 20% of Singaporeans listen to podcasts as part of their daily routine.
Here are some other exciting findings from the same survey:
- 57% of podcast listeners in Singapore use Apple Podcasts to stream
- People listen to 3 to 5 different podcasts on average every week.
72% Of People Are Very Attentive While Listening To Podcasts
The numbers drop if we compare podcasts to other media. 68% of people are attentive while streaming TV, and 56% are attentive while streaming music.
Ever Wondered What Percentage of Podcasts Are Successful?
Although there is no definite study on the topic, there is a 50% chance of a podcast pod fade (it is when a podcast suddenly stops releasing new content without a final show or an announcement). With more than 500k podcasts churned out yearly, only 20% survive.
Listeners Consider Podcast Hosts To Be 64% More Trustworthy Than Other Influencers
Many people consider podcast hosts as trusted sources of information. People also consider the hosts as 86% more trustworthy and 89% more authentic.
51% Of Marketers Are Already Incorporating Podcasts Into Their Marketing Strategies
At the same time, 53% of marketers claim podcasts to be the most effective format despite the low returns they receive on the investments.
The podcast marketing industry will become more competitive. Big companies will start using podcasting to grow their brand, leaving less room for startups.
Act now to take advantage of this opportunity before competition becomes too intense. While you are at it, you might want to consider these top podcast hosting services.
Source: Hubspot
True Crime And Fiction Podcasts Have The Highest Completion Rate
Both genres have over 85% completion rate. If you check the trending podcasts in different regions of the world, True Crime podcasts are always in the top 10 of every region.
Take a look at this graphic to understand the habits of podcast listeners based on genres:
Video Podcast Statistics
Video podcasts, also known as vodcasts, have become increasingly popular in recent years. They offer a unique combination of audio and visual content that caters to diverse audiences. The increase in video podcast consumption corresponds with the overall growth of the podcasting industry.
Spotify and Apple have integrated video podcasting features into their platforms, highlighting the considerable market potential for this format.
Here are some interesting statistics about video podcasts:
- A study done by the podcast host revealed that just 17% of podcast hosts record their episodes in video format as well.
- The survey also revealed that Just 10% of Podcasters go live.
- It is clear that the number of video podcasts is increasing rapidly. In November 2022, the Podcast Index listed 39,194 video podcasts. In May 2023, this number grew to over 50,800.
- According to a study by Riverside.fm, video podcasts can be up to 50% more engaging than audio podcasts.
69% Of Podcast Listeners Were Introduced To New Product Through Podcast Ads
A study done by the podcast host reveals that nearly 7 in 10 listeners claim to have been exposed to new brands and products as a result of ads from a podcast.
Number Of Podcasts On The Top Two Listening Platforms
Spotify has over 6 million podcast titles in its library as of August 2024.
As for Apple podcasts, the number stands at 2.6 million.
Joe Rogan Experience Is The #1 Podcast In The World
The Joe Rogan Experience is the most popular podcast in the world, averaging around 11 million listeners every episode. It is not only the most popular podcast, but it is also one of the longest-running podcasts in history, with over 2000 episodes recorded to date.
JRE is a weekly podcast hosted by comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The show features long-form conversations with guests from various industries.
Remember the famous clip where Elon Musk smokes marijuana? That’s from one of Joe Rogan’s podcasts.
The Joe Rogan Experience is exclusive to Spotify!
Comedy Is The Most Popular Podcast Genres
Comedy is the top podcast genre in the United States.
News podcasts follow, being the second most popular podcast genre in the United States.
Other top Podcast genres in the United States are:
- Comedy
- News
- Society and Culture
- True Crime
- Sports
- Business
- Education
- Health and Fitness
- TV and Film
- Religion and Spirituality
Source: Edison Research
Popular Podcast Genres In The UK
With 30% of adults in the United States preferring Comedy, it is the most popular genre in the country.
Meanwhile, one in four residents of the country preferred entertainment podcasts. Sports and true crime were the other most preferred podcast genres in the United Kingdom.
The following table displays the most preferred podcast genres in the United Kingdom.
| Podcast Genre | Share of Listeners |
|---|---|
| Comedy | 30% |
| Entertainment | 25% |
| Sports | 23% |
| True Crime | 19% |
| News | 18% |
| Health And Fitness | 16% |
| Politics | 15% |
| Personal Development | 14% |
| Pop Culture | 14% |
| Drama | 12% |
Source: Vodafone.
International Podcast Statistics
- Apple podcasts are the #1 choice of French podcast listeners. Deezer, a home-grown podcast listening platform, ranks second in France with 7% votes.
- Relatos de la Noche is one of the most downloaded podcasts in Latin America, with 1.38 million downloads per week.
- Around 58% of South Korean adults tune into a podcast monthly
- More than 9 million Canadian adults are monthly podcast listeners
- 24% of listeners in Denmark tune in every week.
Podcast Duration Statistics
The majority of podcasts are 20-40 minutes long. Only 15% of podcasts are under the 10-minute mark.
Here is an overview of the average duration of podcasts:
| Podcast Duration | Share of Episodes |
|---|---|
| Under 10 minutes | 15% |
| 10 to 20 minutes | 15% |
| 20 to 40 minutes | 30% |
| 40 to 60 minutes | 21% |
| >60 minutes | 18% |
IHeartPodcasts Is The Leading Podcast Publisher In The United States
Publishers play an important role in the creation of podcasts. With a 32.59 million unique monthly audience, iHearPodcasts is the top podcast publisher in the U.S.
‘NPR’ and ‘Wondery’ come in the second and third spot with 20.48 and 19.84 million unique monthly audiences, respectively.
Here is the list of the most popular podcast publishers in the United States as of 2024:
| Podcast Publisher | Unique Monthly Visitors |
|---|---|
| iHeartPodcasts | 32,588,000 |
| NPR | 20,478,000 |
| Wondery | 19,845,000 |
| New York Times | 11,172,000 |
| The Walt Disney Company | 8,963,000 |
| DailyWire | 6,809,000 |
| Vox Media | 6,127,000 |
| Barstool Sports | 5,852,000 |
| PodcastOne | 5,678,000 |
| Fox Audio Network | 5,610,000 |
Source: Analytics.Podtrac
Bonus Podcast Statistics
Here is a list of additional interesting and important statistics associated with Podcasting.
- More people (18%) are listening to podcasts in 2024 than they did eight years ago.
- People prefer to listen to podcasts between 10:00 and 15:00. Podcast listening peaks from 08:15 to 08:30 a.m.
- Households with $100,000 to $150,000 income account for about 17% of the total monthly podcast listeners in the USA.
- 51% of monthly podcast listeners have a full-time job, while 25% have a college degree.
- 59% of people tune into a podcast while doing something else simultaneously.
- 21.7% of podcast listeners are subscribed to over 70 podcasts.
Sources: Semrush, Statista, Edison Research, The podcast host.
Conclusion: 4.25 Million Podcasts Are There Worldwide
The number of podcasts published worldwide and the number of podcast listeners worldwide have increased rapidly over the past years.
Currently, there are 4.25 million podcasts worldwide. Besides, the number of podcast listeners was 464.7 million in 2023 and is estimated to reach 504.9 million in 2024.
Hence, with the increased adoption of podcasts by people worldwide and their increased usage by marketers, it will be interesting to see how the podcast industry flourishes in the upcoming years.
