March 18, 2025|5 min reading
How Much Data is Generated Every Day in 2024?

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In today's digital landscape, the volume of data created daily continues to grow at an exponential rate. From watching videos and browsing social media to sending emails and texts, the generation of digital data is impacting every aspect of our lives. By 2024, the world is set to create 328.77 million terabytes of data every day. Let’s explore these astounding statistics and understand the implications of this data explosion.
Key Statistics on Daily Data Creation in 2024
- 328.77 million terabytes of data are generated each day.
- 181 zettabytes of data are projected to be generated by 2025.
- 53.72% of internet traffic comes from video content.
- 361 billion emails are sent daily.
- 2 billion videos are watched on Twitter each day.
What is the Impact of Data Growth?
The growth in data generation is largely attributed to the increasing number of connected devices and the rise of sensors embedded in those devices. As of 2024, the daily data creation stands at an impressive 328.77 million terabytes, and it is projected that the total global data will reach 180 zettabytes by 2025.
The main contributors to this growth include online activities such as video streaming, social media usage, and e-commerce transactions. With approximately 11 billion devices connected to the internet, the amount of generated data will only continue to surge.
Breakdown of Data Generation by Category
Video Content Dominates Global Data Traffic
Video content is the major driver of internet data traffic, making up 53.72% of the total internet traffic. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok are responsible for the bulk of this traffic.
Social Media and Messaging
Social platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp also contribute significantly to daily data creation. Approximately 12.69% of traffic is social media-related, and messaging apps are responsible for 5.35% of global data.
Gaming and Other Categories
Gaming accounts for 9.86% of internet data traffic, while categories like web browsing, file sharing, and cloud storage contribute smaller portions to the overall data generation landscape.
Annual Data Creation: 180 Zettabytes by 2025
The total amount of digital data generated worldwide has seen a meteoric rise over the last decade. From 2 zettabytes in 2010 to 120 zettabytes in 2023, it is projected to reach 181 zettabytes by 2025. The factors driving this incredible surge include an increase in the number of internet-connected devices and the explosion of content shared across the internet.
YearData GeneratedChange Over Previous Year (%)2023120 zettabytes+23.71%2024147 zettabytes+22.5%2025181 zettabytes+23.13%
Media Consumption and Data Usage
Video Streaming (YouTube & Netflix)
Streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix consume vast amounts of data. On YouTube, a 480p video requires 0.5GB of data per hour, while streaming in 4K demands 15.98GB per hour. Similarly, Netflix uses 1GB per hour for standard definition, and up to 7GB per hour for ultra HD streaming.
Music Streaming (Spotify)
Spotify, a popular music streaming platform, consumes around 40MB per hour when listening to music in standard quality, which translates to 960MB per day.
Data Generation by Region
The United States leads the world in the number of data centers, with 5,388 data centers in the country, far ahead of other nations like Germany and the United Kingdom.
RankCountryNumber of Data Centers1United States5,3882Germany5223United Kingdom517
Conclusion
The world is generating an unprecedented amount of data every day, and this trend is expected to continue. From videos to social media content, data generation is shaping our digital experiences. Understanding these statistics helps us better prepare for the future, both in terms of technology and its impact on our everyday lives.
SEO FAQ
How much data is generated every day in 2024?
In 2024, the world is generating approximately 328.77 million terabytes of data every day.
What percentage of internet traffic comes from videos?
Videos account for 53.72% of all internet data traffic globally.
How much data does YouTube use per hour?
A YouTube video streamed at 480p resolution uses about 0.5GB of data per hour, while 4K resolution can consume up to 15.98GB per hour.
What are the main sources of data creation?
The primary sources of data generation include video content, social media activity, gaming, and web browsing.
How many data centers are in the United States?
The United States has 5,388 data centers, which is the highest number in the world.
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