78 Essential LMS and eLearning Software Statistics: 2024 Data Analysis & Market Share

Elearning used to be a part of the informal education system, but the pandemic flipped that. Today, learning management systems (LMS) and elearning software statistics show that both have become the mainstream in learning delivery, with at least a billion online views of learning content per day (Pearson, 2021).

These numbers only show the widespread acceptance of online learning that may well continue post-pandemic. As a result, the LMS and elearning market is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2027 (Global Market Insights, 2021).

In this article, we further explore these changes in the industry in 2022 and beyond. The following statistics provide crucial data points on how the LMS and elearning industry is accelerating. The data show that education technology and LMS software have yet to satiate the desire of instructors and learners. The accessibility of bite-sized learning, as well as instant customization, will continue to transform the online learning landscape.

LMS and Elearning Software Market Statistics

The telecommunications revolution, including the development of multimedia platforms, has played a key role in putting elearning and LMS software at the center of education. As technology has become indispensable in teaching and learning, the learner is poised to benefit from all the advancements.

In the same manner, the rising adoption and proliferation of elearning keep technology solutions and service providers expectant of unprecedented growth. The following market information mirror a fast-growing industry driven by a remarkable shift in workplace training and classroom learning.

• The millennial population, which comprised 35% of the global workforce in 2020, is one of the main drivers of the remarkable increase in the use of elearning tools (Deloitte Insights, 2020)
• The global market for elearning is projected to reach $305.3 billion by 2025 (Report Linker, 2020)
• The global corporate elearning market is expected to grow by $ 37.8 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 13.14%  (Yahoo Finance, 2021)
• Elearning market size surpassed $250 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow at an exponential compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 21% between 2021 and 2027 (Global Market Insights, 2021)
• North America, primarily the United States, accounted for more than 35% of elearning revenues in 2020 (Global Market Insights, 2021)
• The Asia-Pacific market is expected to account for 26% of the global elearning market from 2020 to 2027 (Global Market Insights, 2020)
• In the US elearning market, the service providers segment will expand at a 17% CAGR from 2020 to 2027 (Global Market Insights, 2020)
• In 2020, the global LMS market size expanded by 23.8%, valued at $10.84 billion (Fortune Business Insights, 2021)
• The global LMS market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 24.11% from 2021 to 2029 (BusinessWire, 2021)
• The LMS market is projected to grow from $ 13.38B in 2021 to $44.49B in 2029 (Fortune Business Insights, 2021)
• From 2021 to 2024, the LMS market is expected to expand to $25.4 billion at a CAGR of 23.8% (Fortune Business Insights, 2021)
• Another forecast predicts that the global LMS market size is will hit $3.6 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 20.76% (Valuates Reports, 2021)

Data on Elearning Tech Spending

• Meanwhile, the cloud-based LMS is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 24.59% from 2021-2029 (BusinessWire, 2021)
• The growing spending on PaaS and SaaS portion of cloud hardware and infrastructure software is projected  to reach $32 billion by 2020 from $8 billion in 2015—this is set to boost the growth of the global cloud-based learning system (BusinessWire, 2021)
• From 2021 to 2029, the higher education market segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.9%
• The gamification market global value in 2020 reached $9.1 billion (Research and Markets, 2020)
• The global gamification market is expected to reach $37 billion by 2027 (Fortune Business Insights, 2021)
• From November 2019 to June 2020, Zoom stocks climbed from $69.64 to $252.81 (Deloitte Insights)

Data on LMS and Elearning Software Adoption Statistics

The roll-out of new technology is often disruptive. However, the disruption brought by the pandemic required organizations to adapt fast. This quick shift resulted in the expansion of markets and unparalleled growth. Here, we present key statistics on LMS and elearning software adoption. The data is convincing—there is no unplugging from online learning.

Corporate Learning

Workplace learning enables organizations to thrive and is very important in threading the uncertainty of markets during COVID-19. Even before the pandemic struck, reskilling and upskilling are the popular corporate buzzwords. The changing job roles prompted organizations to invest in employee development. Even in a remote work setup, LMS and elearning platforms enable companies to train employees and ensure that they are ready to take on evolving roles.

• In 2020, more than 87% of consumers have migrated to cloud-based LMS software (Research and Markets, 2021)
• Compared to 2019, Gen Z learners watched 50% more hours of learning content in 2020 (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 75% of CEOs agree that the pandemic has created significant opportunities to digitally transform and innovate through the crisis through elearning (Deloitte Insights, 2020)
• 83% of Gen Z learners globally make use of elearning to acquire new skills and perform better in their current roles, while 73% turn to online learning to learn about a topic they are personally interested in (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 58% of organizations prefer to use on-demand learning while 25% prefer in-person learning (Chief Learning Officer Magazine, 2020)
• Worldwide, the forecast expenditure on advanced educational technology is $12.6 billion for virtual reality/augmented reality and $6.1 billion on artificial intelligence (Holon IQ, 2019)
• 35% of employees globally have used elearning programs to help them find new opportunities in their organizations (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)

For the organization’s learning and development (L&D), elearning and LMS software are being augmented by multi-channel training. As such, the popularity of LMS and elearning as tools for remote workplace learning is set to escalate market growth.

• 66% agree that they are focused on rebuilding and reshaping their organizations through learning (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 64% share the belief that L&D shifted from “nice to have” to a “need to have” in 2021 (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 59% consider upskilling and reskilling as top priorities in 2021 (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 33% cite virtual onboarding as one of the top three priorities for 2021 (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 79% plan to increase spending on online learning in 2021, while 73% expect to spend less on instructor-led training (ILT) (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 33% expect their elearning budgets to increase in 2021 (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)

The rate of adoption in the corporate sector is also driving market growth as shown by the following data on elearning and LMS spending.

• In 2021, JP Morgan Chase added $350 million to its original $250 million plan to upskill its workforce (JP Morgan, 2020)
• Amazon is investing over $700 million to reskill employees (Chief Learning Officer, 2019)
• PwC is spending $3 billion to upskill all of its 275,000 employees over the next three to four years (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)

Academic (K-12 and Higher Education)

The rapid adoption of LMS and elearning software came as schools suspended in-person learning. The academic sector adapted accordingly, completely shifting and elevating the way students interact and collaborate.

• 78% believe that online learning will give people more access to quality education (Pearson, 2020)
• 63% of university leaders predict full university learning courses by 2030 (Times Higher Ed, 2021)
• 3.9 million post-secondary students are taking at least one distance education course (National Center for Education Statistics, 2020)
• In 2020, Western Governors University had the highest number of students taking exclusively distance learning courses with 136,139 students (Online Schools Center, 2020)
• 65% of students in Florida State University were enrolled online in 2021 (FSU, 2020)
• Nearly 4,000 post-secondary institutions in America pivoted to online instruction in 2020 (CHLOE Project, 2021)
• 80% of Chief Online Officers believe that online enrollment will increase in their schools in the next three to five years (CHLOE Project, 2021)
• 63% of educational institutions made substantial investments in support online learning in 2020 (CHLOE Project, 2021)
• More than 8 in 10 Chief Online Officers say that at least a few of the new or revised courses today include synchronous instruction held online (CHLOE Project, 2021)

LMS and Elearning Technology Statistics

Both LMS and elearning software provide the right tools to accomplish learning goals. These online learning tools include text, audio, video, animation, and virtual environments that are designed to provide interactive content and deliver analytics.

Augmented reality, virtual reality, microlearning, and gamification are just a few of the features integrated into elearning software. Here we present a set of elearning software statistics that underscore the crucial role of technology in learning and show the ability of LMS software to deliver a customized experience.

• Microlearning improves focus and supports long-term retention by up to 80% (eLearn Magazine, 2021)
• Among L&D professionals, 94% prefer microlearning compared to other elearning tools (eLearning Industry, 2021)
• 91% of HR professionals find the planned learning journey approach using elearning tools as more effective in employee development (HR.com, 2020)
• Over 80% of students choose a hybrid learning environment over the traditional one (Boston.com, 2020)
• Visual learners make up approximately 65% of the US population (Chief Learning Officer Magazine, 2020)
• Learners who use social features—Q&A, course shares, and learning groups—watch 30x more hours of learning content than learners who don’t (LinkedIn, 2021)
• 84% of enterprises are turning toward no-code tools for its ability to reduce strain on IT resources (Forrester Consulting, 2019)
• In 2020, 75% of employees with sales-related jobs moved into data science and artificial intelligence roles through elearning (CNBC, 2021)
• 67% of students found gamification of learning as highly motivational and engaging (Science Direct, 2020)
• Microlearning improves focus and supports long-term retention by up to 80% (Research and Markets, 2019)
• More than 50% of people preferred a learning video length of between three and six minutes (Science Direct, 2020)

Most Popular LMS Software

1. TalentLMS. TalentLMS is a scalable, cloud-based learning management system that offers hassle-free course creation and delivery, conferencing, and gamification. Learn more about this LMS platform in our TalentLMS review.
   
2. Absorb LMS. It provides your business with a host of core features that give you full control over the learning experience you offer to your employees.  In our Absorb LMS review you’ll find more details about this solution.
3. SAP Litmos. SAP Litmos is designed to work seamlessly with any device to ensure hassle-free employee training. You can also adjust courses according to the learner’s knowledge level. Read our SAP Litmos review to learn about the system’s full set of features.
   
4. Docebo. Docebo makes coaching and knowledge sharing easy with powerful but user-friendly tools. Our Docebo review provides more details on this platform.
5. iSpring Learn LMS. iSpring Learn LMS lets you quickly develop and upload course content, which learners can access even when offline. Our iSpring Learn LMS review provides a closer look at the platform’s unique features.

Statistics on the Benefits of LMS and elearning

The unlimited access to customized learning content is perhaps one of the most important benefits of LMS and learning tools. In revolutionizing the education landscape, LMS and elearning software created a learning environment with the needs of the learner at the center. The following LMS and elearning software statistics show how this type of platform changed the way we learn, for the better.

• Employees who see good opportunities to learn and grow are 2.9 times more likely to be engaged (LinkedIn, 2021)
• Students enrolled in online classes learn five times more material than traditional classroom learning (IBM, 2020)
• 43% of L&D professionals in the United Kingdom use online survey tools to measure program effectiveness (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 60% of employees globally believe that  elearning makes them more capable of adapting to change (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 61% of college instructors believe online media—blogs, videos, and podcasts—are necessary teaching tools (University of Potomac, 2014)
• 91% of managers believe that elearning can help close skills gaps in their teams (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• Social learning is responsible for at least 75% of the knowledge that employees gain in the workplace (Growth Engineering, 2021)
• 92% of L&D professionals agree that community-based elearning helps foster a sense of belonging (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)
• 83% of L&D professionals agree that engaged learners are more likely to find new roles in the organization (LinkedIn Learning, 2021)

LMS and eLearning Challenges Statistics

Accessibility is a major concern in elearning. LMS and elearning software certainly catered to the needs of regular learners, but more work has to be done when it comes to promoting equal access by providing assistive technologies that will accommodate all types of learners. The following data points present the challenges that need to be addressed for elearning to become inclusive.

• 87% of learners believe that not everyone has access to the technology that they need to learn effectively online (Pearson, 2020)
• 27% or one in four students in the United Kingdom are unable to access online learning during the lockdown (National Union of Students, 2020)
• 84% of learners consider that the COVID-19 pandemic as having made the digital divide more obvious (Pearson, 2020)
• In 2020, only 24% of American public school teachers reported that all their students had access to a computer (Hechinger Report, 2020)
• 82% of learners see that online learning will increase the inequality for those who cannot access or afford technology (Pearson, 2020)
• In 2020, 6% of households with children ages 3 to 18 don’t have access to the internet, with 6% only having internet access through a smartphone (National Center for Education Statistics, 2020)
• Measuring digital learning impact is a challenge in organizations, with 14% of L&D professionals thinking that their measurement system is ineffective (Learning Technologies, 2019)
• 14% of all public school students in the United States have disabilities and need to be provided with elearning tools that will address accessibility (National Center for Education Statistics, 2020)
• LMS and elearning software need to be inclusive—there are 7.3 million students in the US who received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2019-20 (NCES, 2021)

Impact of COVID-19 on the LMS and eLearning Industry

The transition to virtual classrooms and online learning due to the pandemic entailed the use of a learning infrastructure that could simulate in-person learning. In the workplace, training turned virtual, including onboarding. The following statistics of online learning during COVID-19 reveal how organizations migrated online and how limited resources gave birth to innovative learning practices.

• In March 2020, over 1.2 billion students in 186 countries were forced out of school (World Economic Forum, 2020).
• 23% of organizations increased their budgets for online training, while 49% said it remained the same (LinkedIn, 2021)
• 40% of employers have reduced their upskilling and reskilling during the pandemic (Degreed, 2021)
• Large companies showed the greatest number of decreased budgets—42% vs. 15% for midsize companies and 31% for small ones (LinkedIn, 2021)
• In 2020, MOOC has reached 180 million learners—providers launched over 2,800 courses, 19 online degrees, and 360 microcredentials (Class Central, 2020)
• 51% of L&D professionals consider internal mobility as a priority in pandemic time—since COVID-19 internal hires make up a greater share of all hires—19.6% increase (LinkedIn, 2021)
• In 2020 alone, MOOCs gained over 60 million new learners (Class Central, 2020)
• As of 2020, there are 67 MOOC-based degrees (Class Central, 2020)
• In 2020, 360 new microcredentials were launched, increasing the microcredential offerings to 1,180 (Class Central, 2020)
• 40% of MOOC-based courses belong to the category of business and technology (Class Central, 2020)
• In 2020 edX gained 10 million new users, bringing the total of registered users to 35 million (Class Central, 2020)
• FutureLearn gained 5 million new learners in 2020 (Class Central, 2020)
• 1,100% growth in learner joining Learning Groups in 2020 (LinkedIn, 2021)

Future of Elearning Technology

The future of eLearning technology is poised for significant advancements, driven by the need for more engaging, flexible, and effective learning experiences. Here are some key trends and innovations shaping this landscape:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI transforms eLearning by enabling personalized learning experiences. Intelligent algorithms can analyze student performance and adapt content to meet individual learning needs, enhancing engagement and retention.
• Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR): These technologies offer immersive learning experiences that can replicate real-world scenarios. For example, medical students can practice surgeries virtually, while corporate training can simulate customer interactions.
• Microlearning: As attention spans decrease, microlearning—short, focused learning segments—has gained popularity. This method allows learners to absorb information quickly and efficiently, making it ideal for busy professionals seeking to upskill.
• Mobile Learning: The rise of mobile devices continues to influence eLearning, allowing users to access content anytime and anywhere. This flexibility caters to diverse learning preferences and lifestyles, encouraging continuous education.
• Learning Analytics: Data analytics is growing in eLearning platforms. Organizations can identify trends, enhance course materials, and improve outcomes by tracking learner progress and engagement.

Trainers and Educators Must Keep Up With Digitization

The data points presented reveal that while the LMS and elearning software market continues to expand, there are important challenges that need to be addressed. There should always be a balance in the use of technology—advancements should never compromise the basic principles of inclusivity and equality.

There is no doubt that LMS and elearning significantly improved learning delivery, even during the pandemic. Moving forward, educational institutions and organizations alike should see to it that all the benefits of technology are harnessed to design instruction that transforms societies.

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By Jenny Chang

Jenny Chang is a senior writer specializing in SaaS and B2B software solutions. Her decision to focus on these two industries was spurred by their explosive growth in the last decade, much of it she attributes to the emergence of disruptive technologies and the quick adoption by businesses that were quick to recognize their values to their organizations. She has covered all the major developments in SaaS and B2B software solutions, from the introduction of massive ERPs to small business platforms to help startups on their way to success.