Podcast Statistics 2024 (Listeners, Market, Facts And More) 

The podcast industry has exploded in recent years with 4.6 million active users globally. This number is projected to reach around 504.9 million by the end of 2024. 

These numbers suggest there are going to be lucrative opportunities for both, podcasters as well as marketers.

 To put that into perspective, the podcast market industry is expected to surpass $30.03 billion by 2024. Interesting, right?

Let’s take a look at the latest podcast statistics and trends as of 2024.

Latest Podcast Statistics For 2024 At a Glance

  1. As of May 2024, there are 4.19 million podcasts currently active with more than 19.6 million episodes between them. 
  2. There are 4.6 million podcast listeners around the world. This number is expected to reach 5.4 million by the end of 2024. 
  3. On average, 16,221 podcasts are released each month.
  4. An average listener spends 7 hours per week listening to their favourite podcast app. 
  5. 60.67% of the podcasts are in the English language.
  6. Spotify and Apple podcasts are the most popular podcast platforms among users. 
  7. Women slightly listen to podcasts more than men, with 48% of women and 43% of men tuning in.
  8. Most of the podcast listeners (50%) are aged between 12 to 34 years.
  9. The global podcast industry is projected to reach a market size of $30.03 billion by 2024.
  10. The podcast industry in the United States is expected to hit $3 billion by 2024.

Number of Podcasts In 2024

The podcasting landscape has experienced exponential growth in recent years. This led to a diverse array of podcasts spanning various topics and genres. 

Let’s take a deeper look at the current number of podcasts available.

1. Currently, There Are 4,195,659 Podcasts In The World

As of May 2024, there are 4,195,659 podcasts currently available worldwide. This number includes active as well as inactive podcasts on the internet.

So, if we exclude all the inactive podcasts, the currently active podcasts are around 4 million. 

Moreover, according to the Podcast Index, around 349,360 new podcasts are published every 30 days. 

Number of Podcasts
Image Source: Podcastindex

Source: Podcastindex

2. There Are 196,865,801 Podcast Episodes Available

According to the ListenNotes, there are 196,865,801 episodes in the world. As of 2024, over  10,224,333 new episodes have been released till now.

number of podcast episodes

 Let’s take a look at the significant growth in the number of podcast episodes released each year.

Year New Episodes Percentage
201918,483,8199.611%
202030,646,60015.935%
202130,245,14215.726%
202227,332,65114.212%
202329,248,99915.208%
202410,224,3335.316%

Source: ListenNotes


Podcast Listener Demographics 

Take a look at the following Podcast listener demographics.

3. Global Podcast Listeners Reach 464.7 Million

In 2023, the number of podcast listeners worldwide amounted to 464.7 million internet users. 

This number is projected to reach 504.9 million by 2024, around 23.5% of Internet users.

number of podcast listeners

Here’s the growth of podcast listeners in the last couple of years.

YearNumber of Podcast Listeners% Increase 
2024504.9 million8.70%
2023464.7 million9.60%
2022424.2 million10.60%
2021383.7 million18.70%
2020333.2 million20.90%
2019274.8 million

Source: Statista

4. Podcast Listeners By Region

As per the data from Statista, Sweden has the most podcast listeners around the globe. 

Next, Brazil and the Republic of Ireland stand out as the only other countries where more than 40% of the population tune in to podcasts.

The United States, UK, Canada and Australia come next with 30-39% active listeners. 

Image Source: Podcasters Spotify

5. Where Do Most People Listen To Podcasts?

73%  listen to podcasts on smartphone devices, While 13% of the users use laptops and desktops to listen to their favourite podcasts. 

Other devices people use to listen to podcasts are:

  • Tablets
  • Digital music players
  • Voice-activated speakers

Most people (71%) prefer listening to podcasts using headphones, while the remaining 29% opt for speakers. 

6. When Do People Listen to Podcasts?

Around 59% of people enjoy listening to podcasts while multitasking. Plus, 32% of people tune into the podcast while driving or travelling. 

The most popular podcast-listening hours are usually between 10:00 and 15:00, with weekday evenings also being a peak time for listening. 

Additionally, the study indicates that more people listen to podcasts during the week compared to weekends. 

7. Weekly Podcast Listening Trends

Weekdays dominate podcast listening at 78%, with peak times during commutes at 8 AM and 5 PM. 

According to a recent Spotify survey, listeners tune in while travelling (71%), doing chores (71%), relaxing (43%), and working out (34%). 

Weekends contribute 22% of consumption, peaking around 11 AM. to noon.

Podcast Listening Trends
Image Source: Podcasters Spotify

US Podcast Listener Demographics

The United States combines a huge proportion of podcast listeners worldwide. This number is steadily increasing over the years, reaching around 140 million. 

8. US Podcast Listeners By Age

Over 66% of podcast listeners in the United States are aged between 12 to 34 years.

The study from Edison Research found that podcast listening is growing fastest among people aged 35-54, with 43% of them listening to a podcast episode in the last 30 days.

 US Podcast Listeners By Age

Over a quarter of Americans aged 55 and older listen to podcasts monthly, and 28% of those aged 65 and above are podcast listeners.

Age Group% of Active listener 
12 -34 years 66%
35 – 54 years43% 
Aged over 5525%
65 years and older 28%

9. US Podcast Listeners By Gender

In the United States, the majority of podcast listeners (56%) are male, while 44% are female. 

Canada has a more even split, with 54% of listeners being male and 46% being female.

The gender breakdown is similar in other countries as well. In the UK, 53% of podcast listeners are male and 47% are female. In Australia, the percentages are reversed, with 56% of listeners being male and 44% being female. 

10. US Podcast Listeners By Race

When talking about ethnicity, podcast listener’s contribution is varied among the different races. 

Let’s take a look at the share of the US population listening to podcasts according to their race. 

EthnicityShare of Podcast listeners (2022)Share of US Population
White 59%59%
African – American16%14%
Hispanic16%17%
Asian3%3%
Other 6%6%
Estimated Listeners 109 million 

Source: The Infinite Dial


Popular Podcast Platforms Statistics

Since podcasts have become very popular recently, many companies want to host and publish them.

Did you know? Over 571.9 million websites use web hosting services. Check out the latest Web Hosting Statistics to learn more.

Music streaming services, in particular, have taken advantage of this opportunity. These companies have bought other podcast-related businesses to help them get into the podcast market.

Let’s take a look at the most preferred platforms for listening to podcasts around the globe. 

11. Spotify Is The Most Popular Podcast Platform

Spotify is the most popular platform for listening to podcasts. More than 55% of podcast listeners use Spotify to tune in. 

Apple Podcast comes in second, with about 15% of listeners using it.

As of 2023, Spotify recorded over 5 million podcasts on its platform while Apple has recorded 2.5 million podcasts.

Most Popular Podcast Platform

The following data suggests the percentage of popular platforms used by active listeners.

PlatformPercentage
Spotify55%
Apple 15%
Google podcasts 11%
Web browser 9%
iHeartRadio8%
Others 2%

Have you ever wondered how many people listen to podcasts on Spotify? Check out these intriguing Spotify stats.

Source: Spotify


Podcast Financial Statistics

In today’s trend of short videos, creating long-form content like podcasts can be a big challenge. 

Because podcasts are often over an hour long, there are more opportunities to play ads throughout the episode.

Let’s take a look at podcast financial statistics.

12. The Podcasting Markets Is Forecasted To Reach $34.89 Billion Globally By 2024 

The global podcasting market was worth $21.4 billion in 2022. It’s growing very fast, with a rate of 27.8% per year. 

Because of this growth, the market is expected to be worth $34.89 billion by 2024 and a huge $133.9 billion by 2032.

Let’s take a look at global podcasting market growth in upcoming years.

YearPodcasting Market Value
2023$27.31 billion
2024$34.89 billion
2025$44.63 billion
2026$57.23 billion
2032$133.9 billion

Source: Market. US

13. According to forecasts, podcast advertising revenue worldwide is expected to reach around $4.02 billion by the year 2024.

Podcasts, being longer content, are great for running ads and making money. 

With their rising popularity, global podcast advertising revenue is predicted to hit about $4.02 billion by 2024. 

This revenue is forecasted to grow at a rate of 6.95% from 2024 to 2028, reaching an estimated market size of $5.26 billion by 2028.

Source: Statista

14. Podcast Industry Revenue In The United States Is Expected To Hit $3 Billion By 2024

The podcast industry’s revenue growth in the United States shows how popular podcasts have become. 

To put it into perspective, ad revenue was only $105.7 million in 2015, but it’s grown a lot and is expected to reach $3 billion in 2024. 

In fact, it’s been growing at an average rate of 45.3% per year from 2015 to 2025 and is predicted to hit $4 billion by 2025.

Source: Oberlo

15. Podcast Advertising Revenue Statistics 2024

The number of podcast listeners is skyrocketing, but what does this mean for the money being made?

Let’s dive into some fascinating stats that show the economic boom in podcasting!

In 2021, podcasting became a billion-dollar industry, and by 2023, it’s expected to reach $2.3 billion in the US, a 24.8% increase from the previous year. 

By 2024, ad revenue is predicted to hit $4 billion. Interestingly, while the overall digital ad market grew by 12% in 2022, podcasting ad revenue grew by 26%. 

According to the IAB’s US Podcast Advertising Report, 70% of ad revenue comes from podcasts that release new episodes bi-weekly or weekly. 

Here’s a breakdown of ad revenue by podcast genre in the US:

  • Sports: 15%
  • Society & Culture: 14%
  • Comedy: 14%
  • News & Politics: 12%

Video Podcast Statistics 2024

Video podcasts, i.e. vodcasts are also gaining popularity in recent years. 

Video podcasts offer a unique mix of audio and visual content that appeals to a wide range of viewers. The rise in video podcast consumption aligns with the overall growth of the podcasting industry.

Major platforms like Spotify and Apple have embraced video podcasting, recognizing its significant market potential. 

16. Video Podcasts Key Stats

  • Only 17% of podcast hosts record video episodes.
  • Just 10% of podcasters broadcast live.
  • The number of video podcasts is rapidly increasing, with over 50,800 listed on the Podcast Index in May 2023, up from 39,194 in November 2022.
  • Riverside.fm’s study shows that video podcasts can be up to 50% more engaging than audio-only podcasts.
  • 69% of podcast listeners have discovered new products through podcast ads.
  • Nearly 7 in 10 listeners have learned about new brands and products from podcast ads.

In terms of podcast availability:


Other Podcast Statistic 2024

Let’s now take a look at some interesting statistics on Podcasts. 

 17. Most Popular Podcast Genres 

In the US, comedy is the most popular podcast genre among weekly listeners, capturing 22% of the audience. 

True crime podcasts attract 34% of US adults who have engaged with podcasts in the past year. 

Interestingly, female listeners are nearly twice as likely as male listeners to enjoy true crime podcasts. Among US listeners aged 30-44, 7% tune in to sports podcasts daily. 

True crime and fiction podcasts have the highest completion rates among podcast genres.

Let’s take a look at popular genres among the listeners.

Genre% of listeners
Comedy 22%
News 21%
True Crime 18%
Sports 17%
Health and Fitness 17%
Religion and Faith 16%
Politics 16%
Self-help15%
Investigate journalism 13%
Finance 13%

18. Popular Podcast Channels In The World

Let’s now take a look at some of the top podcast channels. These are the top channels on Spotify in the United States.

Top PodcastCreator
The Joe Rogan ExperienceJoe Rogan
The Tucker Carlson ShowTucker Carlson
Regulation PodcastAndrew, Nick, Eric, Geoff and Gavin
Call her DaddyAlex Cooper
The President’s Daily BriefMike Baker 

Source: Spotify podcasts charts

19. Podcast Downloads

When it comes to downloads, Apple Podcasts leaves Spotify behind with a significant number of podcast downloads. 

Over 70% of the downloads happen through Apple Podcasts while only 8.9% happen on Spotify. 

Here is complete data on popular podcasting platforms and downloads on these apps. 

PlatformPercentage of downloads
Apple 70.8%
Spotify 8.9%
Other 5.9%
iHeartRadio3%
Alexa2.3%
Overcast1.6%
Stitcher1.3%
Amazon Music1.2%
Google Podcasts1.2%
Podcast Addict1.1%
Castbox1%
Chrome1%
Pocket Casts0.9%

When a new podcast episode is released, it typically gets around 141 downloads within the first month. 

While this number may seem small, it’s important to remember that there are millions of podcasts out there, so the competition for downloads is intense. 

The average download numbers can vary a lot depending on the podcast’s niche. Podcasts that cover more specific topics might have fewer downloads compared to those that discuss broader subjects.

Did you know? 60,500+ people search for podcasts on Google, Check out the top Google searches here.


Fascinating Facts about Podcasts

Looking for podcast facts? This section is for you.

1. Who named it “podcast”?

BBC journalist Ben Hammersley is the one who coined the term “Podcast” in February 2004, combining the words “iPod” and “broadcast.” It was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2005.

2. What is the average length of a podcast episode?

Most podcasts (31%) are between 20 to 40 minutes.

Here’s the breakdown of the length of most podcasts (according to Buzzsprout)

  • 15% of podcasts are less than 10 minutes
  • 14% are between 10-20 minutes
  • 22% are between 40-60 minutes
  • 17% are over 60 minutes
podcast duration

3. When do most people listen to podcasts?

According to a MIDAS survey, most podcast listeners listen to podcasts more in the morning than at any other time. 

Here’s the breakdown of the timings;

  • The peak listening time for podcasts is between 08:15 and 08:30 a.m. (EST)
  • Other popular podcast times are between 11:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. and again at 5:30 p.m.

4. Why do people start podcasts?

38.4% of people start podcasting as a hobby. (Source: The Podcast Host)

Here are some other common reasons for starting a podcast;

  • Build a personal brand (21%)
  • Grow a business (19.7%)
  • For a cause (13.8%
  • For employers (7.1%)
podcast purpose

5. What software most podcasts use to create podcasts?

The Podcast Host reveals that 48% of respondents use Audacity to edit their podcasts, with Adobe Audition in 2nd place (31%).

6. What is the percentage of in-car podcast listening?

As of 2024, approximately 32% of 18+ year-olds listen to a podcast in a car each month. (Exploding Topics)

Podcast Statistics 2024 (Listeners, Market, Facts And More) 

FAQs on Latest Podcast Stats 2024

Here are some frequently asked questions about podcast stats and user growth.

What is the most popular genre of podcast?

Comedy is the most popular genre of podcasts. The “Society & Culture” genre is the second most popular podcast genre. 

Who mostly listens to podcasts?

Statista reveals that people aged between 12 to 34 years listen to podcasts the most.

What is the number of podcast listeners worldwide?

There are 4.6 million worldwide podcast listeners as of 2024. By the end of 2024, global podcast listeners are expected to reach over 500 million.

What percentage of the population listens to podcasts?

According to Edison Research, 64% of U.S. consumers listen to podcasts, and 83% are familiar with podcasts.

How many languages are podcasts available?

Podcasts are available in over 100 languages. English is the #1 language most podcasts are made in. Over 1.8 million podcasts are available in English.

How many downloads are considered a successful podcast?

If your podcast gets over 50 downloads for a new episode in the first week of its launch, you’re in the top 70% of all podcasters.


Final Thoughts! There Are 4.6 Million Podcast Listeners In the world

Undoubtedly, the podcast industry is growing year after year. It is a multi-billion dollar industry and will reach over 500 million podcast listeners globally by 2024.

If you’re looking for the BEST way to reach your audience, podcasts are an excellent choice. 

What are your thoughts on the podcast popularity and stats mentioned here? Do you listen to podcasts? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments. 

Avatar for Anil Agarwal
About Author
Anil Agarwal is the Founder of Bloggerspassion. He is a full-time blogger and SEO expert who has been helping people build profitable blogs for over a decade Now. He has been featured in Over 100 Publications including Forbes, The HuffPost, HubSpot, Shopify, Semrush, Kinsta, Bluehost, Hostinger and G2.com etc. Know more about Anil Agarwal from here.

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