Podcast Industry Research Overview. In 2026, podcasts remain a popular form of entertainment, engaging audiences across various demographics. From commutes to workouts, podcasts cater to diverse interests, making them a compelling medium in today’s content landscape.
Whether you’re a casual listener or an aspiring podcaster, here’s an updated look at the podcast industry based on the latest data:
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There are 464.7 million global podcast listeners.
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62% of US adults have listened to podcasts at least once.
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There are over 5 million active podcasts worldwide.
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The total number of podcast episodes globally is 70 million.
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The market value of the podcasting industry is projected to reach $21.4 billion.
For deeper insights, we’ve categorized the data as follows: Listener Frequency | Listeners | Podcasts
How Many People Listen to Podcasts?
In 2026, podcasting continues to thrive, with a significant portion of the American population having engaged with this medium. Here are key insights into podcast listenership:
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177 million people listen to podcasts in the US.
This represents approximately 38% of the global podcast audience, showcasing the medium’s strong foothold in the United States.
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78% of Americans are aware of podcasts.
With 62% having listened to one, this demonstrates a robust conversion from awareness to active listening.
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Since 2019, global podcast listenership has surged by 69%.
In 2019, there were around 274.8 million podcast listeners globally, with projections indicating this number will exceed 500 million by 2024.
Global Podcast Listeners Over Time
Year Number of Global Podcast Listeners 2019 274.8M 2020 332.2M 2021 383.7M 2022 424.2M 2023 464.7M 2024* 504.9M -
Sweden ranks second in podcast listenership, with 34.6% of internet users tuning in.
The top five countries by podcast listenership include the US, Sweden, Norway, Australia, and Canada.
Share of Podcast Listeners by Country
Country Share of Internet Users Who Listen to Podcasts United States 40.0% Sweden 34.6% Norway 34.2% Australia 33.2% Canada 32.8% Spain 30.0% Denmark 28.4% United Kingdom 27.9% Finland 27.6% Mexico 25.8%
Podcast Listener Frequency Statistics
Engagement levels among podcast listeners are notably high. Here’s a look at how often people are tuning in:
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41% of US adults listen to podcasts monthly.
Among these, 28% listen weekly, with 10% tuning in daily.
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35% of American podcast listeners engage with over 10 different shows monthly.
Listeners enjoy exploring various podcasts, with 26% listening to eight or more shows weekly.
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22% of podcast listeners engage multiple times a week.
That translates to approximately 39 million Americans who listen to their favorite shows several times a week.
Podcast Listener Statistics
Podcast listeners come from diverse backgrounds and have varied interests. Here are some key insights:
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74% of podcast listeners are eager to learn new things.
Common motivations for listening include entertainment, staying informed, relaxation, and inspiration.
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50% of monthly podcast listeners are aged between 12 and 34.
This age group represents a significant portion of the audience, while 43% are aged 35 to 54, and 22% are 55 and older.
US Podcast Listeners by Age
Age Range Share of Monthly Podcast Listeners 12-34 50% 35-54 43% 55+ 22% -
Americans spend an average of 9 hours and 3 minutes listening to podcasts weekly.
This averages out to over an hour of listening each day, often while multitasking with other activities.
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65% of podcast listeners actively pay attention to advertisements.
Listeners report being 33% more likely to engage with podcast ads compared to other media types.
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Podcast listeners are mobile, with 64% listening while in a car or truck.
Additionally, 49% listen while walking, and 37% use public transport or other commuting methods.
Share of Podcast Listeners Listening on the Move
Type of Movement Share of Podcast Listeners Car or Truck 64% Walking 49% Commuting 37% -
Podcast listeners frequently multitask, with 59% listening while doing housework.
52% listen while driving, and 50% tune in while cooking or baking.
Share of Podcast Listeners Listening While Multitasking
Type of Multitasking Share of Podcast Listeners Housework 59% Driving 52% Cooking or Baking 50%
Podcast Statistics
Podcasts come in diverse formats, from brief audio clips to comprehensive video content. Here are some current podcast statistics:
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22% of the top podcasts on YouTube include video.
Despite this, 57% of listeners express a preference for video podcasts.
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20-35% of podcast listeners stop listening after the first 5 minutes.
This highlights the importance of capturing attention quickly; podcasts need to start strong to retain their audience.
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Approximately 60% of podcast listeners complete episodes.
This means if you have around 100 listeners, about 60 are likely to listen to the entire episode.
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34% of podcasts are 30-40 minutes long.
While podcast lengths vary, 30-40 minutes is the average; only 7% are shorter than 15 minutes, and 3% exceed an hour.
The Average Length of Podcasts
Average Length Share of Podcasts 15 minutes or less 7% 15-30 minutes 24% 30-40 minutes 34% 40-50 minutes 23% 50-60 minutes 9% 60+ minutes 3%
Podcasting FAQ
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How Fast Are Podcasts Growing?
Podcasts are experiencing rapid growth, with a 69% increase in listeners since 2019. From approximately 274.8 million listeners in 2019 to 464.7 million in 2023, the growth trajectory is impressive.
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What Percent of Podcasts Succeed?
Only about 20% of podcasts maintain success year-over-year. The competitive landscape makes it challenging for new podcasts to thrive, with many facing “podfade,” where they abruptly stop producing content.
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What Types of Podcasts Are Most Successful?
Comedy remains the leading genre, favored by 22% of listeners. Other popular categories include:
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News (21%)
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True Crime (18%)
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Sports (17%)
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Health and Fitness (17%)
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Religion and Faith (16%)
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Politics (16%)
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Self-help (15%)
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Investigative Journalism (13%)
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Finance (13%)
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Is the Podcast Market Saturated?
Yes, the podcast market is highly saturated, with over 5 million active podcasts and 70 million episodes. This abundance of content presents challenges for new creators seeking to stand out.
Conclusion
The podcasting landscape has seen remarkable growth, with a 69% increase in listeners since 2019. With over 5 million podcasts and 70 million episodes, the industry continues to expand.
For podcasters and advertisers, the podcast industry offers unique opportunities to engage and educate audiences. Notably, listeners are 33% more likely to notice podcast ads compared to other media formats.
However, the saturated market can pose challenges for new podcasters, making it crucial to craft compelling content that resonates with audiences.
References
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Statista – Number of monthly podcast listeners in the United States from 2013 to 2023
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Pew Research Center – How Americans use and engage with podcasts
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InsideRadio – Podcast Listening Time Jumps As More Listeners Are Now Tuning In Weekly.
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InsideRadio – Survey Finds A Third Of Listeners Pay More Attention To Podcast Ads Than Ads On Other Media.
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Digiday – Podcasters weigh the cost-benefit of producing video podcasts
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
