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Metaverse Market Size: Statistical Trends and Future Projections

March 11, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

metaverse player count

In this article, we’ll delve into the intriguing world of metaverse statistics for 2023, shedding light on the metaverse player count and the dynamic market trends that shape this evolving digital landscape.

Key Takeaways

  • The metaverse player count remains dynamic and diverse, with hundreds of millions of users actively joining in various platforms and experiences
  • The metaverse’s income keeps rising; most of its earnings come from advertising, resulting in a massive $114.93 billion generated in 2021.
  • Looking ahead, the metaverse is set to become an integral aspect of daily life, with projections indicating exponential growth in user numbers and market valuation.

Metaverse Overview

The metaverse is like a virtual space where different groups of people who like visuals can come together. It uses virtual reality technology to create this space. You can use it for work tasks like in an office or for activities like trying on clothes, watching sports, or attending concerts. 

metaverse player count

It’s a versatile place that can meet your many needs. It’s a space to make all kinds of wishes come true. For example, you can have exciting adventures or even set up a virtual office. In the future, the metaverse will expand and cover many different work areas.

Top Metaverse Stats for 2023

  1. Metaverse’s worldwide market earnings are predicted to reach $54.95 billion in 2023. It’s anticipated that by 2028, the value of the Metaverse will surge to a staggering $800 billion.
  2. In 2023, the Metaverse boasts an impressive 400 million active users per month.
  3. Around 36% of the Metaverse’s market share is attributed to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies.
  4. During 2022, the gaming sector held the largest revenue share within the Metaverse, surpassing 27.17% and claiming the highest share among all application segments.
  5. North America generated 45% of the Metaverse’s revenue in 2022.
  6. Approximately 74% of adults in the United States have joined or plan to join the Metaverse.
  7. By 2027, an estimated 25% of users are expected to spend an hour or more daily within the Metaverse.
  8. In just two weeks, an impressive 10.7 million players witnessed a live concert by Marshmello in Fortnite.
  9. Roblox, a massive virtual world within the Metaverse, boasts an astonishing 230 million monthly users.
  10. A statistic reveals that 77% of people believe the Metaverse has the potential to impact reality negatively.
metaverse player count

Metaverse Market Size and Industry Analysis

The Metaverse draws investment from various industries and sectors, fueling its market expansion.

  1. With the rise of Web 3.0, the value of Metaverse companies totals about $0.03 trillion, while Web 2.0 companies amount to $14.8 trillion.
  2. Meta (formerly Facebook) holds a market capitalization of $1.98 trillion.
  3. Projections indicate that the Metaverse’s value will reach $800 billion by 2024.
  4. As of 2021, the global metaverse market size reached a valuation of $63.83 billion.
  5. A significant 32% of the Metaverse’s market growth originates from North America, with investments in leading platforms like Meta Corporation, Roblox, and NVIDIA Corporation, among others.
  6. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision for $68.7 million has contributed to the Metaverse’s development.
  7. Meta (Facebook) has invested $10 billion in various metaverse projects.
  8. Forecasts suggest the global blockchain market will experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 80.2% by 2027.
  9. The global automotive intelligent manufacturing market is predicted to increase significantly at a CAGR of 77% by the end of 2027.
  10. The fashion market share within the Metaverse is expected to surge to $6.61 billion by 2026.

Understanding Metaverse User Demographics

The number of metaverse users has grown significantly in recent years. Every year, more and more people are drawn to the Metaverse to explore their imagination, play games, and experience things that might seem impossible.

  1. A total of 3.59 billion users are spread across the various platforms created by Meta.
  2. Approximately 25% of individuals are expected to spend at least an hour per day in the Metaverse.
  3. When it comes to interest, 27% of female and 39% of male are highly intrigued by the Metaverse.
  4. Surprisingly, 51% of Metaverse users are 13 years old or younger.
  5. The Metaverse has achieved a remarkable milestone with 400 million monthly active users, marking an all-time high!
  6. Just 13.2% of the people who use the Metaverse every month are legal to officially join a virtual world on the blockchain.
  7. Looking ahead to 2026, 25% of people are predicted to spend an hour or more each day within the Metaverse.
  8. Globally, 52% of users are interested in joining the Metaverse for work-related opportunities.
  9. The allure of arts and live entertainment draws 48% of users to the Metaverse.
  10. A significant 44% of users are intrigued by the prospect of investing in cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) within the Metaverse.
  11. Many users are full of adventure, as 38% desire to experience thrilling activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, and paragliding in the virtual realm.
  12. 27% of adults desire to alter their consciousness in the Metaverse, favoring it over using drugs and alcohol.
Reason for joining MetaversePercentage of Respondents
Career Opportunities52%
Artistic & Live Shows48%
Financial Investments44%
Education40%
Socializing & Online Dating32%
Gaming Experience29%
Adult-oriented Content18%

US adults about Metaverse

  1. About 74% of adults in the United States are considering or actively contemplating joining the Metaverse.
  2. Approximately 41% of adults desire to be part of the Metaverse to experience things that might be impossible in the real world.
  3. Around 23% of adults aim to create an alternate version of themselves within the Metaverse.
  4. For 38% of adults, believing in the Metaverse’s potential to foster unity and create a sense of brotherhood is a driving factor.
  5. Educational prospects attract 28% of adults to consider joining the Metaverse.
  6. About 40% of adults are interested in utilizing the Metaverse to connect and communicate with others.
  7. For 15% of respondents, having substantial content available is a crucial motivator for adults to enter the Metaverse.

Metaverse Revenue

  1. Advertising stands as the primary source of revenue for the Metaverse, contributing to a remarkable $114.93 billion in earnings during 2021.
  2. Here is a table depicting the Metaverse’s annual revenue from 2010 to 2023:
YearRevenue
20101,974 million
20113,711 million
20125,089 million
20137,872 million
201412,466 million
201517,928 million
201627,638 million
201740,653 million
201855,838 million
201970,697 million
202085,965 million
2021117,929 million
202256,730 million
2023 (projected)54,951 million
  1. During 2021, the desktop segment emerged as the largest metaverse market size.
  2. The gaming segment claimed the highest revenue share in the same year, surpassing 27.17%.
  3. The media and entertainment segment holds a notable 39% of the market share within the Metaverse.

Facts and Figures About Metaverse Events

  1. A live performance by Marshmello drew an audience of 10.7 million players to the Fortnite concert.
  2. In the United States, approximately 60% of participants engaged in gaming and non-gaming events within the virtual environment.
  3. Nas X’s Roblox performance garnered an impressive 33 million views within two days.
  4. Interestingly, 48% of respondents from the United States expressed the least interest in attending live sporting events in the Metaverse.
  5. On the other hand, 27% of millennials shared a strong interest in attending live sports events in the virtual realm.
  6. Among Generation Z, 32% showed partial interest in experiencing live music events within the Metaverse.
  7. Contrastingly, 41% of U.S. residents voiced their lack of interest in attending live music concerts in the Metaverse.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

  1. Projected for 2024, global investment in virtual and augmented reality (VA and VR) is set to increase from the $12 billion recorded in 2020 to an impressive $72.8 billion.
  2. The year 2025 is anticipated to witness a user base exceeding 1.73 billion individuals engaging with augmented and virtual reality.
  3. Approximately $1,000 is directed toward acquiring advanced VR gear for many individuals.
  4. The availability of over 500 apps facilitates the streaming of VR content.
  5. The augmented reality user count is estimated to range from 700 million to 775 million users by 2030.
  6. The AR/VR market is on a trajectory to reach the $300 billion mark by 2024.
  7. As we advance to 2030, the projected user count for AR and VR is expected to span approximately 90 million to 1 billion.
  8. Global expenditure on VA/AR is foreseen to reach around $72.8 billion by 2024.
  9. For 24% of adult users in the US, cost-effective VR headsets play a crucial role in their decision to enter the Metaverse.
metaverse player count

Gaming and the Metaverse

  1. Around 107 gaming applications include the keyword “metaverse” in their descriptions.
  2. As of 2020, the global audience for e-sports reached 495 million, projected to grow to 646 million by 2023.
  3. In 2021, Niantic, Inc. secured $300 million from the Pokemon Go gaming company. The company aims to establish a real-time virtual world platform using virtual and augmented reality technology.
  4. In 2021, the worldwide gaming market generated earnings of $175.8 billion and is expected to reach $200 billion by 2024, mainly due to progress in AR and VR technologies.
  5. The gaming audience in Europe grew to 329.5 million in 2021 and is projected to further increase to 351.0 million by 2023.
  6. 41% of players within the Metaverse are women, while 59% are men.
  7. Users typically spend an average of 2 hours within the Metaverse, and the average age of Metaverse gamers is 27.
  8. Roblox is the largest virtual world within the Metaverse, boasting approximately 230 million monthly users.
  9. An astonishing digital Gucci Bag was sold on Roblox for an impressive $4,115 on May 17th, 2021.
  10. In the fourth quarter of 2022, Roblox accumulated 12.80 billion hours of user engagement.

Metaverse Apps Statistics

  1. In 2021, the collective revenue generated by Meta’s apps amounted to $115.66 billion.
  2. Among app names, 101 finance, and 57 entertainment apps are related to entertainment, both featuring the keyword “metaverse.”
  3. Surprisingly, 55% of US internet users remain unfamiliar with Horizon Workrooms.
  4. A substantial 70 social apps incorporate the term “metaverse” in their names.
  5. For a combined focus, 144 apps integrate both the keywords “metaverse” and “crypto.”
  6. Additionally, 55 apps reference the metaverse alongside VR, while 73 mention it alongside AR.
  7. The keywords “NFT” and “Metaverse” can be used simultaneously in 118 apps.
metaverse player count

Metaverse’s Impact on Businesses

  1. Within companies investing in the Metaverse, 53% have also directed investments towards cryptocurrencies.
  2. Meta incurred a significant loss of over $20 billion in its investments in Reality Labs.
  3. Notably, $501 million was spent on metaverse real estate in 2021.
  4. As of January 2023, 17% of companies within the computer and IT sectors have engaged in investments related to the Metaverse.
  5. Likewise, 10% of marketing and advertising companies have joined the ranks of Metaverse investors.
  6. Of the investing education companies, 12% have ventured into the Metaverse landscape.
  7. An intriguing correlation emerges as 53% of companies investing in the Metaverse also explore the realm of cryptocurrencies.
  8. Of the investing companies, 18% have diversified into real estate ventures within the Metaverse.
  9. A compelling 41.05% of these investing companies believe in the universality of Metaverse investments across all sectors.
  10. 17.37% of investing companies view Metaverse investments as relevant only for tech companies.
  11. A strong sense of optimism prevails as 67.65% of investing companies foresee a prosperous future for the Metaverse in the coming five years.
  12. Approximately 13.73% of these companies anticipate a more extended timeframe of around ten years for the Metaverse to reach its full market potential.

Risks of the Metaverse

The Metaverse introduces a range of potential risks, encompassing security, privacy, and authenticity issues that users must be wary of.

Headsets and smart glasses used within the Metaverse store significant amounts of personal data to tailor the user experience.

  1. Around 47% of users face a heightened risk of becoming addicted to the allure of simulated reality.
  2. A concerning 41% of users are exposed to the potential risk of experiencing mental health challenges.
  3. Similarly, 41% of metaverse users are on the brink of grappling with privacy-related concerns.
  4. An overwhelming 77% of users believe that the Metaverse could harm reality.
  5. Close to 46% of respondents anticipate a future wherein people will increasingly choose to reside and coexist primarily within the confines of the Metaverse.
  6. Among the users, 18% expressed concern about the potential for unwanted exposure to prohibited content within the Metaverse.
  7. An alarming 26% of individuals believe that the rise of the Metaverse will lead to a surge in cybercrime incidents.
  8. Around 54% of those surveyed admit that, in the Metaverse, they would opt to create avatars that do not resemble their real-life selves.
metaverse player count

Future of Metaverse

Anticipated to emerge as the next internet iteration, the Metaverse is on the brink of ushering in a transformative era. This evolution will facilitate many unprecedented experiences, such as immersively watching soccer games with 360-degree visuals and sound, delving into historical events through visual reenactments, and participating in interactive conferences—all without the constraints of physical presence.

  1. Looking ahead to 2030, the Metaverse Market is projected to soar to an impressive valuation of $13 trillion.
  2. As we approach the end of that same decade, the user count within the Metaverse is poised to reach a staggering 5 billion individuals.
  3. Remarkably, by the year 2040, the Metaverse is expected to become an indispensable tool for half a billion people worldwide.

Amidst the ongoing developments within the metaverse this year, remarkable shifts have transpired. The gaming industry flourishes, and the E-commerce sector experiences a surge. Virtual land plots are being acquired, and virtual music festivals are being attended.

metaverse player count

As we approach the doorstep of 2023, a realm of boundless potential awaits. Here, we present a glimpse into forthcoming metaverse trends, offering insights to position you advantageously in the times ahead.

  1. Already shaping the gaming landscape, AR and VR will extend their influence into education and instruction.
  2. Envision virtual cities—beyond virtual weddings and music shows—replicas of cities where citizens can interact seamlessly from their homes.
  3. In the metaverse, NFTs will once again rise to prominence. Beyond artwork, people will crave digital accessories like footwear, clothing, and backpacks to showcase.
  4. The underpinning of digital infrastructure necessitates a platform for hosting; enter cloud computing, an already burgeoning technology set to persist in the metaverse.
  5. Metaverse marketing emerges as the driving force behind Web 3.0, akin to how search engines fueled Web 1.0 and social media drove Web 2.0. Brands are establishing their metaverse presence and strategies with fervor.

These trends provide a glimpse into the tapestry of possibilities in the metaverse’s imminent future.

FAQs

As of 2023, hundreds of millions of users are actively engaging in various metaverse environments and experiences.

Metaverse claims to have a whopping 8,000 million daily users.

Roblox takes the lead in the metaverse, thanks to its player base rapidly expanding during the COVID-19 pandemic. It currently enjoys 58.5 million daily active users spanning 180 countries.

Metaverse Statistics 2023: Conclusion

The metaverse statistics for 2023 provide a compelling narrative of a world rapidly embracing the future through the fusion of virtual reality and artificial intelligence. As an ever-growing crowd gravitates towards the metaverse, its allure lies in the promise of experiencing events otherwise inaccessible in the physical realm.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.