Podcast Statistics: Spotlights On Listeners & Trends In 2026

This article offers the latest Podcast statistics in recent years 2023.

Methodology

This article synthesizes podcast statistics and podcast listener statistics from Statista.com, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information. 

Worldwide Number Of Podcast Listeners 

• 2019: The global podcast listeners stood at 274.8 million. As podcast statistics from this period suggest, the medium was growing, influenced by various popular podcast genres and platforms.
• 2020: The number rose to 332.2 million, potentially due to more people discovering podcasts as a preferred medium of content consumption.
• 2021: Listenership further increased to 383.7 million. The rise could be attributed to an expanding variety of content and the prominence of platforms like Apple Podcasts drawing in monthly podcast listeners.
• 2022: A significant boost is observed with people who listen to podcasts reaching 424.2 million, indicating the robust growth and popularity of the podcast industry.
• 2023 & 2024 (Forecast): The graph forecasts the numbers to rise to 464.7 million in 2023 and 504.9 million in 2024, signifying the potential for continued growth.

Worldwide Internet Users Listening To Podcasts By Country

• The United States takes the forefront with 34.6%, closely trailed by Sweden and Norway, both showcasing robust podcast listening statistics exceeding 32%. 
• In stark contrast, Asian nations such as South Korea, Japan, and China exhibit more modest figures, standing at 12.2%, 11.8%, and 8.7% respectively. 
• European territories, including Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany, present a middling range around the 25-30% mark. Meanwhile, Latin American representatives, Mexico and Brazil, echo similar mid-tier tendencies, pinpointed at 25.8% and 25%. 

Listeners On Podcasts In Selected Markets Worldwide 

• Topping the chart, South Korea boasts an impressive 49% podcast listenership, indicative of a pronounced cultural adoption of this medium. 
• Ireland and Spain follow closely with 41% and 38%, respectively. Interestingly, the United States, often perceived as the podcasting epicenter, presents a figure of 37%, closely paralleled by Nordic nations, Norway and Sweden, both hovering around the mid-30s percentile. 
• European countries, such as Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France, display listenership statistics ranging from the high 20s to mid-30s. 
• In contrast, the United Kingdom lingers towards the lower spectrum with a mere 22%.

Worldwide Leading Producers Of Domestic News Podcasts 

• The depicted graph categorizes producers into five segments: Broadcasters, Print/Digital Born, Podcast Production Companies, Individual/Independent creators, and Others. 
• In the United States, a significant 42% of news podcast production is spearheaded by Broadcasters, while Print/Digital Born entities contribute 19%. 
• Interestingly, the United Kingdom exhibits a dominant 47% from Broadcasters, yet has no contribution from Podcast Production Companies. 
• Australia showcases a balanced distribution with Broadcasters and Print/Digital Born both sitting at approximately 29%. 
• France’s podcast landscape is predominantly influenced by Individual/Independent creators, who account for an overwhelming 80% of the content. Meanwhile, Sweden displays a pronounced reliance on Podcast Production Companies, contributing 43%, while Broadcasters hold a marginal presence.

Most Popular Podcast Publishers Worldwide By Unique Streams & Downloads

The chart delineates the leading podcast statistics about publishers worldwide in June 2023, quantified by unique streams and downloads, as measured in millions.

• iHeartPodcasts emerges as the paramount player with an astounding 377.24 million downloads, establishing its dominance in the global podcasting arena. 
• Wondery secures the second spot, accruing 176.23 million, demonstrating its formidable presence. 
• NPR closely follows with 162.04 million, asserting its consistent influence in auditory media. 
• The New York Times, renowned for its journalistic excellence, amasses 111.71 million downloads. 
• Daily Wire and NBC News are in the competitive mid-range with 79.94 million and 70.41 million respectively. 
• PRX garners 52.45 million, while The Walt Disney Company, despite its entertainment prowess, records 41.36 million. 
• CNN, a global news titan, yields 35.07 million downloads.
• Lastly, Vox Media concludes the list with 38.19 million. 

Top 200 News Podcasts In Selected Countries Worldwide

For people who listen to podcasts worldwide, the disparity in domestic and international production is evident. 

• In the U.S., a staggering 93% of podcast users prefer domestic production, with a mere 7% tuning into international podcasts. 
• The U.K. exhibits a balanced listenership with 57% domestic and 43% international podcast consumers. 
• Sweden and France present a similar trend, where 60% and 87% of monthly podcast consumers respectively listen to domestic content. 
• Australia leans towards domestic content with 58% of podcast listeners opting for it. 
• These statistics provide a glimpse into podcast listener demographics and their preferences. 
• The graph underscores how many podcasts in the top 200 list are homegrown, revealing the dominance of domestic content in the podcast industry. 
• Notably, platforms like Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts may influence these stats, given their extensive podcast episode libraries.

Revenue Of Leading Podcast Streaming Providers 

• Spotify, a popular listening app among podcast listeners worldwide, dominates with a revenue of 7,511.6 million U.S. dollars. 
• Stitcher follows distantly with 72.55 million, while Wondery and LibSyn have revenues of 25 and 24.2 million, respectively. 

These statistics reveal the vast disparity in the podcast industry’s monetization. Podcast users and avid podcast fans contribute to this significant listenership.

Revenue Of The Highest-earning Podcast 

• “The Joe Rogan Experience” tops the list with a staggering 30 million, showcasing UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s immense popularity among people who listen to podcasts. 
• Following are “My Favorite Murder” and “The Dave Ramsey Show,” earning 15 and 10 million respectively, shedding light on the popularity of true crime podcasts and financial advice genres. 
• “Armchair Expert” and “The Bill Simmons Podcast” also cut with revenues of 9 and 7 million. 

These podcast statistics highlight the vast audience these podcast hosts have garnered, predominantly through listening apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The podcast industry’s growth is evident, with podcast listeners tuning into a range of genres, solidifying the importance of podcasting in the modern audio content landscape.

Spotify’s Spending On Podcast-related Acquisitions 

The table illustrates Spotify’s strategic investments in podcast-related acquisitions in 2019 and 2020, highlighting the streaming giant’s aggressive foray into the burgeoning podcasting industry. 

• With a spending of 154 million U.S. dollars on Anchor FM and 195 million on Gimlet Media, both in February 2019, Spotify demonstrated its intent to capitalize on the increasing number of people who listen to podcasts. 
• The acquisition of Parcast in April 2019 for 55 million and The Ringer in February 2020 for 196 million underscores Spotify’s dedication to diversifying its audio content, catering to various podcast genres, and expanding its listenership base. 

These statistics attest to the rising popularity of podcasts, with monthly listeners often tuning into new episodes on popular podcast platforms. Such moves by Spotify signal the growing importance of podcast content.

Revenue From Podcast Hosting

LibSyn 

• Commencing at a revenue of 10.58 million U.S. dollars in 2017, there’s a clear surge in earnings to 22.01 million in 2018, and further ascending to 24.2 million by 2019. 

This escalation correlates with the burgeoning podcast industry, as podcast listeners worldwide consistently grow.

Wondery 

• Starting at 10 million U.S. dollars in 2018, revenue skyrockets to 25 million by 2019, mirroring the escalating trend in podcast listeners worldwide. 

This growth signifies the podcast industry’s expansion as more podcast consumers listen, turning to popular podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts. The surge may also be attributed to Wondery’s popular podcasts that captivate a diverse podcast audience, as well as strategic audio content that leverages podcast analytics insights. 

Stitcher 

• Stitcher’s revenue began at 31.2 million U.S. dollars in 2017, subsequently reaching 51.06 million in 2018, and climaxing at 72.55 million by 2019. 

This revenue ascent aligns with the growth in people who listen to podcasts.

Number Of Streams Needed Per Month By Podcast Curators 

• Major record label artists necessitate a staggering 7.28 million streams, contrasted by independent artists at 2.73 million. 
• DIY and publishing artists require significantly fewer streams at 1.02 million. 
• Astonishingly, podcast curators need only 0.08 million. 

This statistic underscores the profitability and growing influence of the podcast industry. As podcast listeners worldwide increase, popular podcast genres become central to consumers’ audio and visual content choices. 

Ways In Which People Discover New Podcasts 

• A notable 37% of European respondents rely on recommendations from friends, family, or work colleagues, slightly surpassing the 32% in the US. 
• Internet searches play a pivotal role, with 39% in the US and 27% in Europe resorting to this method. 
• Social media recommendations and podcast ads account for 27% and 25%, respectively, in these regions. 
• Notably, 20% of US listeners utilize popular podcast platforms, showcasing the influence of these apps in shaping podcast content consumption. 

Podcasting In The United States

Are Podcasts Popular In The U.S.?

U.S. People’s Awareness Of Podcasting 

• Starting from a modest 22% in 2006, the awareness has surged to a remarkable 79% by 2022. 

This growth can be attributed to the proliferation of listening apps like Apple Podcasts and the advent of popular podcasts.  The statistics highlight the podcast industry’s burgeoning growth, propelled by regular podcast listeners and the rise in new podcast episodes. 

Podcast hosts and creators have capitalized on this momentum, diversifying podcast content, both in audio and visual formats. 

U.S. Population That Has Listened To Podcasts

• Beginning at 9% in 2008, this share surged to 38% in 2022. 

The data underscores the growing podcast audience, with increasing numbers of podcast listeners tuning into new podcasts and episodes via popular podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts.

Number Of Monthly Podcast Listeners 

• From 32 million listeners in 2013, there’s a notable climb to a projected 164 million in 2023. 

These podcast statistics reflect the podcast industry growing rapidly. 

As more podcast creators produce diverse content, and platforms like Apple Podcasts become dominant, the number of consumers who listen to podcasts swells. The insights underline the evolution of the podcasting landscape, shaped by popular podcasts, podcast hosts, listening apps, and the integration of podcast analytics to curate content.

The Growth In Users Of Music, Radio & Podcasts 

These podcast statistics suggest a consistent audience, hovering around 240 to 255 million. As podcast creators generate new content, platforms play a pivotal role in distribution. 

U.S. Preferred Podcast Providers 

• YouTube leads the pack with 33% of podcast listeners, followed by Spotify at 24%. 
• Apple Podcasts, a dominant platform, has 12% of the podcast audience. 

As the podcasting industry thrives, statistics reveal that platforms like Pandora, iHeartRadio, and SiriusXM cater to a smaller percentage of consumers.  These popular podcast platforms, offering a plethora of podcast episodes across genres, have become integral to the listening habits of podcast listeners worldwide.

U.S. Monthly Podcast Consumers By Gender

The pie chart portrays the distribution of monthly podcast consumers in the United States in 2022, segmented by gender. Males represent 53% of podcast listeners, while females comprise 46%. Additionally, non-binary and other gender identifications account for 1%.

How Often Do U.S. People Listen To Podcasts?

Weekly Podcast Consumers By Age Group 

• The age group 26 to 35 years displayed the highest percentage of podcast listeners, at 44%.
• Podcast consumer behavior varies across age; younger generations (15-25 years) reported 38% and mid-aged listeners (36-45 years) at 41%.
• As age increases, a decline in listening is observed: 33% for 46-55 years, and 22% for 56 years and older.

People Listening To Podcasts Monthly By Age Group

• Ages 12-34 consistently dominate, with 49% in 2020 peaking at 56% in 2021 and settling at 50% in 2022.
• The 35-54 age group shows growth, from 40% in 2020 to 56% in 2021, but declines to 43% in 2022.
• Meanwhile, podcast listeners aged 55+ remained relatively stable: 22% in 2020, 26% in 2021, and 22% in 2022.

Frequency Of Podcast Consumption Among U.S. Adults

11% of podcast listeners tune in once a day or more, while 14% listen several times a week.

Weekly podcast listeners constitute 8%, whereas 6% indulge several times a month.

5% listen to a podcast episode once a month, with 13% listening less often.

Notably, 44% have never engaged with podcast content, suggesting a significant portion remains untapped in the podcasting industry.

Monthly Podcast Listeners On Spotify & Apple Podcasts 

• 11% of global podcast listeners tune in daily.
• 14% listen several times a week, showing high engagement.
• Weekly podcast listeners represent 8%.
• 6% listen several times a month.
• Surprisingly, 44% have never engaged with a podcast episode.

Share of adults who said they listened to a podcast at least once in the past month in the United States in 2022, by generation

• Podcast listeners worldwide showcase generational trends in consumption.
• Millennials and Gen Z lead in podcast listening, followed by Gen X and Baby Boomers.
• Podcast industry growing with diverse content from podcast creators.
• Listening apps like Apple Podcasts facilitate easy access.
• Podcast episodes attract a varied audience; however, monthly engagement varies.

Preferred podcast format with or without video in the United States as of October 2022, by generation

• Podcast listeners worldwide show varying inclinations toward audio podcasts or video podcasts.
• Gen Z and Millennials exhibit a stronger preference for listening with video compared to Gen X and Baby Boomers.
• Podcast consumers use popular listening apps like Apple Podcasts, influencing the podcast industry’s growth.
• Podcast hosts and creators continually adapt content to audience preferences.
• Podcast insights reveal a significant shift towards visual content in newer generations.

Preferred Podcast Format By Generation In U.S.

• All U.S. adults: 26% prefer audio-only, while 32% opt for video content.
• Gen Z: 28% audio-only preference, with 42% favoring video podcasts.
• Millennials: 30% lean towards audio, while 43% for video.
• Gen X: 28% choose audio-only, and 31% video content.
• Baby boomers: 25% for audio podcasts, 21% for video.

Preferred Podcast Ad Types 

• 48% favor ads voiced by the podcast host.
• 19% prefer ads reminiscent of AM/FM radio.
• 16% choose ads read by someone other than the host.
• 17% have no preference or are unaware.

Average Number Of Ads Per Podcast 

• For a 15-minute podcast episode, 2.2 ads are deemed suitable.
• In a 30-minute segment, listeners find 2.7 ads appropriate.
• A 60-minute podcast garners acceptance for 3.8 ads.
• These podcast statistics provide podcast creators and podcast hosts crucial podcast insights about ad placement.

Podcast Spotlights On Other Countries

Most Popular Topics For Podcasts Among Chinese Listeners

• Music/films and TV/Literature/art dominates at 60.7%.
• Stories of personal development or individual experience rank second with 52.9%.
• Lifestyle, comedy, and entertainment topics vary between 20% and 6.9%.
• Less popular are sports, parenting, and real estate topics, below 6%.

Device Distribution Of Podcast Listening Time In The UK 

• Smartphones dominate, with 78% of podcast listeners tuning in.
• Other devices like laptop or desktop have 9%, while tablets account for 5%.
• Digital music players and Voice Activated Speakers represent 2% and 3% respectively.
• This distribution reflects the podcast industry’s growing reliance on mobile devices.

Number Of Podcast Listeners In The UK

• 2017 witnessed 8.9 million podcast listeners.
• Steady growth was observed annually, reaching 18.9 million in 2020.
• 2021 showed a significant leap to 21.2 million listeners.
• Continuous rise with 25.2 million in 2023 and 27 million in 2025.
• 2026 projections suggest nearly 28.9 million listeners.

Conclusion

The evolution of the podcasting world has been nothing short of remarkable. Podcast listening has become a routine activity for many, with diverse genres emerging to cater to every conceivable interest. Among them, the most popular podcast genre consistently attracts massive audiences, showcasing the varied tastes of global listeners. 

Podcast stats further underline this trend, revealing how deeply entrenched the habit of listening to podcasts has become. Notably, platforms like Google Podcasts have amplified accessibility, allowing listeners to easily explore the most popular podcast genres at their convenience. Podcast hosts, riding this wave of popularity, often incorporate podcast ads, demonstrating the commercial potential of this medium. 

In conclusion, the increasing trend of listening to podcasts, combined with the ever-expanding range of genres and the rise of platforms like Google Podcasts, ensures that this auditory medium remains at the forefront of contemporary media consumption.

Author information
Pedro Nunes
MBA – PhD Researcher