US Podcast Listener Numbers (2018–2025)
The popularity of podcasts worldwide has been increasing over the past few years, with the number of global listeners expected to be 424.2 million in 2022. This is forecast to continue increasing and surpass half a billion by 2024.
The United States is no exception to this, as witnessed by the expected increase in podcast revenues in the coming years.
If you’re an ecommerce business with the US as one of your target markets, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some of the key local podcast listener numbers so you can fine-tune your marketing strategy.
How popular are podcasts in the US?
According to the latest data on podcast listener statistics in the US, the number of people actively tuning in to podcasts (defined as at least once a month) is expected to be 125 million in 2022. This marks a 6.1% annual increase and represents 42% of the total number of digital consumers.
Podcasts’ popularity has grown at an impressive rate in recent years. In 2018, there were 75.1 million listeners, accounting for 26.9% of internet users. In other words, around one out of every four people using the internet that year also listened to podcasts.
This increased to 92 million in 2019. After surpassing 100 million listening for the first time ever, in 2020, the number of podcast listeners continued to grow, hitting 117.8 million a year later.
These podcast listener numbers also show that podcast popularity is set to continue in the following years. In 2023, experts predict there will be a 4.9% increase in podcast listeners, hitting 131.2 million. This growth is expected to continue, eventually reaching 142.7 million in 2025, and making up 46.4% of all internet users.
From 2018 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the number of podcast listeners was 14.5%. Going forward, however, analysts expect growth to slow. From 2022 to 2025, the average annual growth rate is predicted to be 4.9%. This is expected not due to a fall in the popularity of podcasts, but because of the already large number of listeners.
These podcast listener statistics also show that the US has the highest podcast listenership in the world. In 2021, 40% (two in five) of all US internet users were podcast listeners. This is followed by Sweden, with 34.6% and Norway, with 34.2%.