E-learning services market is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period (2024-2031). The market growth is attributed to the increasing demand for cost-effective training and learning techniques in the corporate and academic sectors. The e-learning services have flexibility in content processing, accessibility, and storage. The cloud learning platform offers several benefits, including cost-effectiveness, data backup, security, and remote access. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), in January 2022, the online learning platform Coursera recorded 20 million new student registrations in 2021.At the country level, the US the standings with more than 17 million people getting enrolled in online learning, followed by India with 13.6 million.

Market Dynamics

Gamification and Immersive Learning

Gamification encourages active involvement and makes tasks entertaining by utilizing game principles and design, such as leaderboards, points, incentives, and badges. Gamification finds application in multiple domains such as staff training, marketing, education, health, wellness, and customer engagement. Through the elimination of the need for physical classrooms, teachers, and supplies, mobile learning can result in significant cost savings for corporations and educational institutions. Furthermore, mobile devices are growing increasingly affordable, which makes mobile learning a more viable alternative. As mobile learning offers a platform for real-time communication and collaboration, it also has the potential to increase learner collaboration. Even when learners are spread out across different regions of the globe, mobile learning may promote a sense of community and collaboration among them through features like instant messaging, discussion boards, and group projects.

Increasing Adoption of Smartphones and Tablets

e-learning entails gaining access to and using electronic devices—like computers, tablets, and smartphones—to take part in training sessions, courses, and instructional resources. The increasing adoption of Smartphones and Tablets offers numerous benefits that come with e-learning, such as time and location flexibility, self-paced learning, access to a vast array of subjects and materials, and performance and progress tracking. It is frequently utilized in educational settings, corporate training programs, professional development courses, and lifelong learning campaigns. On a mobile device, mobile learning, or mLearning, is a kind of technology-enhanced education. It gives students the freedom to access learning resources and participate in educational activities at any time and from any location.

Market Segmentation

Our in-depth analysis of the global e-learning services market includes the following segments by type, technology, and end-users.

• Based on type, the market is sub-segmented into custom e-learning, responsive e-learning, micro e-learning, translation & localization, game-based learning, and rapid e-learning.

• Based on technology, the market is sub-segmented into artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality, big data, and cloud computing.

• Based on end-users, the market is sub-segmented into academic, corporate, and government.

Cloud Computing is Projected to Emerge as the Largest Segment

Based on the technology, the global e-learning services market is sub-segmented into artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality, big data, and cloud computing. Among these drugs cloud computing, the sub-segment is expected to hold the largest share of the market. The primary factors supporting the segment's growth include the increased adoption of cloud computing e-learning-based services that include servers, databases, storage, networking, analytics, and software. Cloud-based solutions are purposefully made to enable users to access shared files, applications, and resources whenever and wherever they have internet access. In addition, it allows students to access e-learning platforms and resources from any location with an internet connection, ensuring that they may work on group tasks and access course materials. For instance, in November 2021, Amazon Web Services, Inc. introduced four initiatives to empower learners and make it even easier for anyone with a desire to learn to access free cloud computing skills training and unlock new career possibilities in the cloud. The AWS Skill Builder is a new digital learning experience, the addition of AWS courses to the Amazon.com website, the expansion of the AWS re/Start global deskilling program, and the opening of the AWS Skills Center—Amazon’s first dedicated, in-person cloud learning space.

Academic Sub-segment to Hold a Considerable Market Share

Based on end-users, the global e-learning services market is sub-segmented into academic, corporate, and government. Among these, the academic sub-segment is expected to hold a considerable share of the market. The segmental growth is attributed to the increasing adoption of e-learning in the academic sector as it offers an innovative, technologically advanced method of education. Traditional teaching methods are being revolutionized by the integration of e-learning with academics, which has emerged as a transformational influence in education. Through the use of digital platforms and online resources, e-learning offers instructional content in a way that makes learning flexible and engaging. According to the Al-Fanar Media Statistics 2022, one-third of the Dutch and US students surveyed and an additional 53.0% of German students spent studying exclusively online, they still have doubts about whether a fully online academic experience would suit them the best.

Regional Outlook

The global e-learning services market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America). 

Increasing E-Learning Services in Asia-Pacific

• According to the World Bank Group, Individuals using the Internet (75.0% of the population) in India, East Asia & Pacific (excluding high-income) in 2022.

• According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, in August 2021, the online education market (higher education and lifelong learning market) in India is forecast to reach $5.0 billion by 2025, driven by the government’s focus on designing online education programs, strengthening digital infrastructure across the country and catering to the rising demand for upskilling among students.

Global E-Learning Services Market Growth by Region 2024-2031

North America Holds Major Market Share

Among all the regions, North America holds a significant share owing to numerous prominent companies and e-learning services providers. The growth is attributed to increasing adoption of digital technologies in education & training. Educational institutions are utilizing e-learning services to offer courses to students, while businesses and government agencies are employing e-learning services to staff members and employees in pertinent subjects. To increase the global need to support and enhance sustainable finance, the government in the region introducing a revolutionary e-Learning Programme. For instance, in September 2023, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched an innovative e-Learning Program on Sustainable Finance. This initiative of the Sustainable Finance Hub’s SDG Finance Academy is poised to share UNDP's vast knowledge of sustainable finance with global practitioners. The initial ten learning modules of the e-learning program mirror the academy’s live training introducing basic concepts followed by ‘deep dives’ in critical areas for achieving the SDGs.

Market Players Outlook

*Note: Major Players Sorted in No Particular Order.

The major companies serving the global e-learning services market include 2U, Inc., Coursera Inc., Khan Academy, Inc., LinkedIn Corp., Pluralsight LLC., and Udemy, Inc., among others. The market players are increasingly focusing on business expansion and product development by applying strategies such as collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to stay competitive. For instance, in September 2023, MPS Interactive Systems, a B2B learning company, partnered with Liberate Learning through a strategic EdTech investment. MPS Interactive Systems acquired an equity stake in Liberate Learning. The collaboration is set to drive forward Liberate Learning’s mission to provide superior educational technology services and solutions to the APAC market.

The Report Covers

• Market value data analysis of 2023 and forecast to 2031.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the global e-learning services market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.