Podcast Statistics (2024) → Active Listeners & Trends

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.

How Many Podcasts Are There

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).

Number Of Podcast Listeners Over the Years
YearNumber of Podcast ListenersIncrease
2024**504.9 million8.70%
2023464.7 million9.60%
2022424.2 million10.60%
2021383.7 million18.70%
2020333.2 million20.90%
2019274.8 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
202298.4 million
2023103.6 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
Spotify35.8%
Apple Podcasts33.8%
Web browser5.4%
Buzzsprout Embed player2.5%
Apple iTunes2.5%
Castbox2.1%
Google Podcasts1.7%
Overcast1.3%
Pocket Casts1.3%
Podcast Addict1.0%

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.

Podcast Listeners In Different World Regions

Here is a table showing the forecast of podcast listeners in different world regions:

World Region202420252026
North America43.80%45.20%46.30%
Western Europe30.90%31.90%32.80%
Latin America30.30%31.40%32.40%
South Korea15.20%15.90%16.50%
Japan14.80%15.40%16.00%
China12.90%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.

The Market Size Of The Podcasting Industry

Here is a table showing the market size of the podcast industry over the years:

YearPodcast Industry Market Size
202323.56 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:

YearShare Of U.S. Population
202262%
202157%
202055%
201951%
201844%
201740%
201636%
201533%
201430%
201327%
201229%

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.

Podcast Discovery Growth By Age Group
Source: Spotify

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. 

32% Of People Tune Into A Podcast Episode

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. 

Most Popular Device To Stream A Podcast

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:

PlatformPercentage
Apple70.8%
Spotify8.9%
Other5.9%
iHeartRadio3.0%
Alexa2.3%
Overcast1.6%
Stitcher1.3%
Amazon Music1.2%
Google Podcasts1.2%
Podcast Addict1.1%
Castbox1.0%
Chrome1.0%
Pocket Casts0.9%

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.

 Age Of 12 To 34 Listen To Podcasts Monthly

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:

True Crime And Fiction Podcasts
Source: Spotify

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.

Number Of Podcasts On The Top Two Listening Platforms

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.

Joe Rogan Experience
Source: JoeRogan.com

Remember the famous clip where Elon Musk smokes marijuana? That’s from one of Joe Rogan’s podcasts.

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:

  1. Comedy
  2. News
  3. Society and Culture
  4. True Crime
  5. Sports 
  6. Business 
  7. Education
  8. Health and Fitness 
  9. TV and Film
  10. 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 GenreShare of Listeners
Comedy30%
Entertainment25%
Sports23%
True Crime19%
News18%
Health And Fitness16%
Politics15%
Personal Development14%
Pop Culture14%
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 DurationShare of Episodes
Under 10 minutes15%
10 to 20 minutes15%
20 to 40 minutes30%
40 to 60 minutes21%
>60 minutes18%

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 PublisherUnique Monthly Visitors
iHeartPodcasts32,588,000
NPR20,478,000
Wondery19,845,000
New York Times11,172,000
The Walt Disney Company8,963,000
DailyWire6,809,000
Vox Media6,127,000
Barstool Sports5,852,000
PodcastOne5,678,000
Fox Audio Network5,610,000

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.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top