Online Education (Global Market)

Global Online Education Market Highlights

• Microcourses - there is a trend towards reducing the average time of one video to 1-3 minutes.
• Gamification - the main task of the platforms is to keep the user's attention, for which the gamification toolkit is most often used.
• New technologies - many experts and market analysts say that the development of augmented reality technologies will be able to become an additional driver of growth in the entire market.
• B2B - the corporate segment is paying more and more attention to the industry. Large corporations act as both consumers and service providers.
• Applied skills - there is a trend towards an increase in the number of sites offering precisely applied knowledge and skills. This trend is especially noticeable in the Russian Federation.

2024

The volume of the global online education market for the year reached $88.26 billion

In 2024, spending on the global online education market amounted to $88.26 billion. This sector is showing steady positive dynamics, as stated in the Future Market Insights review, which TAdviser got acquainted with at the end of August 2025.

Analysts take into account costs software and services (virtual classes, video conferencings content delivery, collaboration technologies, etc.), equipment (laptops, tablets and other devices), as well as tools for providing. cyber security

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Фото: Freepik

The pandemic had a positive impact on the industry, COVID-19 due to which schoolchildren and students around the world were in self-isolation. This led to a sharp increase in the demand for distance learning platforms. Such systems allow you to gain knowledge from anywhere with a connection to. to the Internet The online format is suitable for people with disabilities or parents with young children who cannot be left unattended. In addition, the distance model allows you to receive education in an educational institution anywhere in the world. At the same time, many online programs are available in the record, thanks to which they can be mastered at a convenient time and at an individual pace.

Market drivers are the growth of Internet penetration and the development of digital infrastructure. In particular, fiber and cellular networks, including 5G, are being actively built around the world. Thanks to government initiatives to eliminate digital inequality, rural students can be educated at prestigious universities via the Internet. Against this background, educational institutions and companies are investing heavily in improving distance learning platforms.

Another stimulating factor is the introduction of advanced technologies. Among them are named augmented (AR) and virtual (VR) reality, as well as artificial intelligence. In particular, neural networks allow you to form personalized training programs taking into account the level of knowledge of each specific student, his preferences, chosen specialization, etc. In addition, AI algorithms help track academic performance and identify possible difficulties. AI-based chatbots are capable of providing instant feedback and support. In turn, AR/VR systems make the learning process more interactive and exciting.

At the same time, the authors of the study highlight certain restraining factors. These are the lack of access to the necessary technologies in underdeveloped regions, the problems of integrating various digital tools and platforms, the gap in the level of digital literacy, etc.

It is estimated that in 2025 the volume of the online education market will reach $102.7 billion. Future Market Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR will be 16.3%. Thus, by 2035, costs may increase to $465.5 billion. At the same time, in the United States, the CAGR is predicted at 17.5%, that is, above the average for the market as a whole: this is due to the rapid introduction of advanced technologies and the growing need for personalized training. In Germany, the average annual growth rate during the period under review will be 16.2%, in Britain - 15.8%. In China, CAGR is expected at 20.1%, in India - 18.4%. Globally, significant industry players are named:

• Microsoft;
• Google;
• Zoom Video Communications;
• Blackboard;
• Cisco Systems.^[1]

The volume of the global EdTech market for the year reached $163.49 billion

In 2024, spending on the global educational technology market (EdTech) amounted to $163.49 billion. More than a third of global costs came from the North American region. Such data are reflected in the study by Grand View Research, the results of which TAdviser got acquainted with at the end of August 2025.

The direction of EdTech involves the use of innovative technological solutions in the educational field. This sector combines various specialized devices, such as interactive boards and tablets, related software and all kinds of online services.

One of the market drivers is the growing demand for distance learning. Internet platforms offer a wide range of digital educational programs for various categories of students. This format implies conducting video lectures, as well as performing tests, exercises and tasks. Chats can be implemented to communicate with teachers and classmates. The demand for online education has grown sharply in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which provoked the self-isolation of schoolchildren and students around the world.

Artificial intelligence has a significant impact on the industry. Neural networks are able to analyze the level of knowledge and needs of each student, forming an individual learning plan focused on achieving the best results. AI algorithms are used to track students' progress, predict possible difficulties in the learning process, and detect plagiarism.

The use of digital technologies such as virtual and augmented reality improves the learning process, making it more interactive and exciting. An important area of ​ ​ development of the EdTech sector is gamification of processes: it provides for the introduction of various game activities into curricula and courses. This approach increases student engagement and motivation.

In general, EdTech platforms open up qualitatively new opportunities in terms of training. Online courses and mobile applications will allow you to gain knowledge at a convenient time and anywhere with Internet access - regardless of geographical location, age or physical capabilities. Thus, the availability of education increases: students can choose an educational institution and specialization according to their needs and level of knowledge.

In 2024, the largest share of revenue was provided by the equipment segment, due to the growing distribution of interactive panels, laptops, tablets, e-books, virtual/augmented reality headsets, etc. At the same time, the highest average annual growth rates are recorded in the field of educational content. An estimated 39.4% of EdTech's total market volume was in the school education sector. Geographically, North America leads the way with a score of 35.62%, linked to high levels of digital development and a growing focus on personalized learning. The fastest growth rates were noted in the Asia-Pacific region. Globally, major industry players are:

• Byju's;
• Blackboard;
• Chegg;
• Coursera;
• Edutech;
• edX;
• Google;
• Instructure;
• Microsoft;
• Udacity;
• upGrad Education Private Limited.

In 2025, the volume of the market in question is expected to reach $187 billion. Analysts at Grand View Research believe that in the future, the CAGR will be 13.3%. Thus, by 2030, expenses may increase to $348.41 billion.^[2]

2019

In 2018, high school students at the High School of Journalism in Brooklyn (USA) staged a protest against the Summit Learning online learning platform. In 2019, parents and teachers are already expressing doubts that their children need high-tech training in every class.

According to the Wall Street Journal, in Baltimore County, Maryland, from public schools for five years, paper textbooks, notebooks and pens disappeared. All students from kindergarten through 12th grade receive a laptop instead.

This happened because 5 years ago, the US Department of Education set a goal to achieve a one-to-one ratio - one child per computer, and completely switch to computer learning. That goal at the moment, despite student protests, still stands across the country.

Over the past decade, American schools have spent millions of dollars on a variety of educational devices and apps, believing it will help many children learn faster and be better prepared for a new competitive economy. But now even the American schoolchildren themselves understand that if "the formation of people of a new technological structure means the transition to electronic textbooks and boards, then this is a profanation of education leading to global ignorance," writes WSJ.

Students "main claim to new high-tech education programs is that they exclude much of the human interaction: communication with teachers, discussions with classmates that are needed to improve critical thinking.

In addition to reducing the level of education, schoolchildren are concerned about the security of their data. Summit Learning collects them without asking for permission. The training program collects their names, phone numbers, email addresses, records of visits, illnesses, passes, deductions, as well as gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and extracurricular activities. The Summit Learning website also says that they plan to track the lives of students after graduation, which suggests that all the information collected is subsequently summarized and analyzed by neural networks in the interests of employers.

An analysis of the performance of 115,000 students in Baltimore schools before and after the introduction of online learning found that over the past 5 years, average performance in Baltimore County has declined dramatically. Now many parents and teachers are beginning to wonder if switching to digital education was in principle a good idea.

2016: J’son & Partners Consulting

Digital education is one of the fastest growing segments of the global education market (+ 23% per year during 2012-2017), still occupies a small share <3%) в общем рынке образовательных услуг.(

The growth of the market is supported by the digitalization of learning foreign languages, preparation for tests, growing demand for online tutors and the development of the corporate online learning market. There is a growing need for life-long learning models to provide ongoing pre-training to staff in line with a changing range of challenges.

$5.5 billion investment in educational startups around the world in 2015-16. accelerated the development of projects in all verticals of the market: from foreign languages ​ ​ to specialized platforms for corporations and universities.

The United States occupies about 50% of the entire market, while Asia is growing at three times the pace both in the volume of services consumed and in the number of new projects. 34% of all investments in 2015 in EdTech were in China. In China, large and significant projects appear in various verticals:

• XuetangX is the Chinese leading MOOC platform, 5 million students as of October 2016 and 400 courses (~ 7% of the market). Very rapid growth in the domestic market and recognition from local universities.
• Genshixue (title translates to "Who to learn with?") - > 70 thousand teachers, $50M venture capital funding in 2015
• 17zuoye (the name translates as "Learning Together") - training schoolchildren in English and mathematics, > 7 million students, $135M of funding, including from DST (Yuri Milner).

Mass courses are becoming more practice-oriented, job search and employer needs:

• All platforms in 2016 emphasize the sale of comprehensive training: specializations (Coursera), Nanodegrees (Udacity), Xseries (EdX)

The platforms enter into partnerships with the corporation to train their employees:

• Coursera for Business - employees of BCG, L'Oreal, Axis Bank
• iVersity Professional Development - the European MOOC platform following Coursera sells certificates and invites companies to draw up training programs for employees
• Udacity forBusiness - same courses and nanodegrees packed for HR needs

Corporations are preparing their own courses to find new employees:

• Microsoft and Google are leaders in course production (78 and 50 courses, respectively).
• Other IT companies are picking up the trend (Facebook, Cisco, AT&T, etc.)

The demand for project training is growing - to make a site, write a book, create a script, solder a microcircuit:

• Coursera partners with Google, Instagram and Shazam for final specialization projects (capstone projects)

Learning foreign languages, children's education, applied specialties (business and IT) - the most popular areas of study:

• Example: ABCmouse, an educational gaming platform for children 2-7 years old, raised a record $150M in May 2016 at an estimate of > $1 billion.
• BabyStep - the Russian platform with content for children - the world's largest library of video tutorials for parents.

Technological trends:

• Mobile learning and cross-platform become basic requirements for any training platform
• Wearables will play a big role in learning
• Big Data is needed to improve learning technologies

Thematic trends:

• Courses with famous people (actors, athletes, directors)
• Selection of coaches and tutors
• Mobile tutor in a specific area
• Courses for creative professions
• Companies teach services that are indirectly related to the product - enhance product awareness
• Narrow specialization - the entire site about one topic

Methodological trends:

• Recruitment and training convergence
• Serious Games - gamification in the B2B segment
• Playful learning (NOT traditional gamification!)
• Learning Through Surveillance and Copying

2015 Forecast

Global E-Learning Market for 2015 estimated by experts at $107 billion: Europe - 41.6%, Asia - 28.4% North America - 22.4%, South America - 3.3%. The main players in this market are Open, Virtual, Electronic, Network and Cyber ​ ​ universities, Smart universities, the main growth of which occurred in the last decade. The scale of their activities is amazing, in each of them more than 500 thousand people study. First of all, this opens up wide opportunities for people with disabilities and defense enterprises. However, of great concern is the fact that these processes are not represented significantly in Russia.

2013

According to the results of Frost & Sullivan's new Analysis of the Global Lecture Capture Solutions (LCS), in 2013 the revenue of enterprises in this market amounted to $162 million. and is projected to reach $592.2 million. US by 2019 (CAGR 24.1%). The study looked at segments of hardware and software, including those provided by the SaaS model.

Despite their significant advantages, until recently, the level of penetration of LCS solutions into the market remained low. This is due to limited vendor sales resources and customer doubts about the scalability and value of such solutions. The prevalence of LCS solutions is growing in the North American market as well as the global market. Suppliers are increasing their product range, sales volumes and expanding distribution opportunities.

At the same time, there are a number of problems, including low awareness of potential customers about LCS solutions, insufficient awareness of teachers about such technologies, a complex procurement process, especially in the secondary school segment, as well as a limited budget of educational institutions. With the advent of cloud solutions and desktop customers, market dynamics have improved. Educational leaders have come to understand that modern digital technologies are necessary for their organizations to maintain high competitiveness.

The online education market has been in its infancy for quite some time. Despite the fact that the first sites appeared back in the 90s, and the first significant project (MIT OpenCourseWare) in 2002, the real market took off in 2012, when the three largest sites were launched: Coursera, EdX and Udacity^[3].

¹ Fixed time courses - scheduled courses that take place only at certain times with the support of teachers. Usually, new lectures and assignments are given weekly.

² More than 7 million donations

Despite the protracted start, online education instantly became popular, and the online learning market attracted many investors. The top 10 global resources in the field of online education are attended by about 20 million people, and the total investment in these resources exceeded $300 million.

According to Docebo, the current volume of the global online education market is estimated at more than $40 billion. According to the forecast, in 2016 this figure will exceed $50 billion. The structure of the global market by key geographic segments is presented below.

See also

• Catalog of products and projects of Distance Learning Systems
• Distance Learning Technologies
• Online Education (Russian Market)
• Unified Electronic Educational Space of Russia

Notes