What are the top Netflix statistics?
Netflix has come a long way in its nearly 30 years.
Despite being the number one streaming platform in the world, it launched as a mail-based DVD rental service with just 900 titles and a week-long rental period in 1997. In fact, it didn’t even offer its first online streaming product until 2007 or get rid of physical DVDs altogether until 2008.
Since then, it has scaled at an astronomical rate. Today, it offers thousands of titles, generates billions of dollars in yearly revenue, and is home to millions of subscribers all over the world.
If you have ever been curious about Netflix’s success and growth trajectory, you have come to the right place. Here, we have rounded up more than 40 of the best Netflix statistics available.
Ready? Let’s hit play!
General Netflix statistics
- Netflix is available in almost 200 countries across the globe
- As of March 2023, Netflix has a total of more than 17,000 films and shows available to watch across its international libraries
- Almost 2 in 5 Internet users worldwide (37%) use Netflix
- The average US adult subscriber watches Netflix for 30 minutes a day, which is a total of 15 hours per month
- Netflix has a larger subscriber base than any other streaming platform in the market
- 70% of users admit to having binge-watched a TV series on Netflix at least once
- It is estimated that as many as 100 million Netflix users share passwords with friends or family
- Millennials make up one-third of Netflix subscribers worldwide
Netflix growth statistics
Netflix generated more than $30 billion USD in revenue in 2022
(Statista)
According to reports, Netflix generated an astonishing $7.9 USD in the fourth quarter of 2022, bringing their total revenue to a staggering $31.6 billion USD.
Netflix’s subscriber base totals 231 million
(Statista)
Even though it saw a substantial loss of subscribers in the first half of the year, Netflix rounded out the fourth quarter of 2022 with 231 million subscribers worldwide. That’s up from about 223 million in the third quarter.
Netflix is the most popular streaming platform in the world
(Kantar)
Despite more competition and a steady decline in market share year over year, Netflix has remained a constant in millions of households all over the world. In fact, it is now the single most in-demand streaming service in the world.
Netflix generates more traffic than Facebook
(Sandvine)
While Google makes up the most total internet traffic, Netflix accounted for a staggering 14% of it in 2022.
While that might not seem like a huge percentage, it is more than the traffic generated by some of the best-known websites in the world, including Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon.
Netflix is a more popular streaming platform than Amazon Prime, but not for long
(Statista)
As we mentioned earlier, Netflix is the most popular streaming platform in the world. However, there’s a chance that it could lose the top spot to Prime in the next few years – possibly as soon as 2027.
Netflix is the 7th-largest internet company in the world
(Statista)
In 2022, Netflix’s market cap made it one of the 10 largest internet companies on the planet, beating out sites such as PayPal and Twitter.
The only companies with a larger market cap were Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Tencent, Bytedance, and Alibaba.
North America is home to Netflix’s largest subscriber market
(Business of Apps)
Nearly half of Netflix’s revenue in 2022 (44%) came from the United States and Canada, which accounted for a combined total of $14.08 billion USD.
Netflix’s $142 billion market cap makes it one of the most profitable companies in the world
(Companies Market Cap)
As of March 2023, Netflix had a market cap of $142.25 billion USD. This makes it the 83rd-most profitable company in the world, ahead of companies like American Express and Unilever.
Netflix has grown its revenue by more than $30 billion USD
(Statista)
In just under a decade, Netflix’s annual revenue has increased by billions. In 2013, it was just $1.3 billion USD – in 2022, that number was $31.6 billion USD.
Netflix shares have increased by more $300 USD since 2002
(CrunchBase)
When the company went public in 2002, it was valued at $82.5 million USD. At its initial public offering, the shares were listed at just $15 USD each.
As of 2023, the cost per share remains well over $300 USD and hit a 52-week high of $396 USD. The company is worth an estimated total of $139.6 billion USD.
Netflix market share worldwide
Netflix is available in more than 190 countries worldwide
(Netflix)
As of 2023, Netflix is available for citizens to stream in over 190 countries across the globe, and content varies and changes based on location. The only countries in which it is not available to use are China, Crimea, North Korea, Russia, and Syria.
The average Netflix user pays $11.56 USD per month for their subscription
(FromeDome)
As of 2022, the average Netflix subscriber pays $11.56 USD per month for their plan. That is more than 40% cheaper than its plans were in 2013, when it cost nearly $20 USD per month.
Interestingly, the cost for Netflix to acquire a user has also decreased from $48 USD to $15.25 USD.
Liechtenstein is the least cost-effective country for Netflix plans
(Comparitech)
When broken down by cost per title, Netflix subscriptions are the least cost-effective in Liechtenstein, Israel, and Switzerland. This is regardless of whether users choose the Basic or Standard model.
Netflix subscribers in Pakistan get the best value for their money
(Comparitech)
While it might have a smaller content library than other countries, Pakistan’s Netflix library does offer users the most bang for their buck: they pay just $0.00032 USD per title for a plan with no ads compared to the global average of $0.00127.
For comparison’s sake, US-based subscribers pay $0.00167 per title for the basic plan and UK-based subscribers pay $0.00105.
Slovakia has the biggest Netflix library
(Statista)
Recent research has found that Netflix subscribers in Slovakia have access to the largest library of content in the world. As of the fourth quarter of 2022, they could choose from as many as 7,990 film and television titles.
Greece is home to the smallest Netflix library, clocking in at just 6,543 titles.
Singapore has the highest subscription prices across all markets
(Statista)
In Singapore, a standard Netflix subscription that includes ad-free content costs $12.17 USD per month, making it the most expensive Netflix plan on the market.
French Guiana and Canada followed closely behind, at $12.13 USD per month and $12.10 USD per month, respectively.
Netflix is more affordable in Pakistan than in any other country
(Statista)
In Pakistan, a Netflix subscription costs just $3.45 USD per month.
Turkey is the second-cheapest subscription, totaling $3.78 USD per month, followed by Argentina at $5.44 USD per month.
Netflix demographics
The US and Canada make up 35% of the Netflix subscriber base
(Statista)
North American subscribers account for more than one-third of Netflix’s global subscriber base. That’s a total of more than 73 million subscribers.
North America accounts for almost 45% of Netflix’s annual revenue
(Business of Apps)
Given that American and Canadian subscribers make up over one-third of the streaming platform’s subscriber base, it is no surprise that they account for 43% of the total annual revenue. That makes a total of $14.08 billion USD!
Millennials use Netflix more than other age groups
(Morning Consult)
According to recent demographic research, millennials account for 33% of Netflix’s global subscriber base. That’s more than any other generation: Gen X makes up the second-largest share at 26%, followed by Baby Boomers at 22% and Gen Z at 18%.
The median subscriber age is 35-44
(Finances Online)
Not only do millennials watch Netflix more than any other age group, but they also make up the core of Netflix’s viewership, along with Generation X.
Nearly 75% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 subscribe to Netflix
(Statista)
Studies have found that nearly three out of four Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 have a Netflix account. That number dwindled to just 44% of those 65 and older.
More than half of subscribers signed up for Netflix to watch its original content
(eMarketer)
A majority of Netflix users in the US (58%) say that one of the main reasons they choose to subscribe to Netflix is because of its original content.
33% of teens’ daily video content comes from Netflix
(Piper Sandler)
Netflix is the most popular streaming service among teenagers, who get about one-third of their daily video content from the streaming platform.
The platform outperformed YouTube (31%) as well as cable TV, the popularity of which has declined to just 11%.
A majority of Netflix subscribers live in urban areas
(Morning Consult)
According to a recent survey, almost half of Netflix’s American subscribers are located in urban areas (43%). About one-third (33%) live in suburban areas, while just 23% reside in rural areas.
Netflix user statistics
On average, users watch Netflix content for more than 3 hours each day
(Variety)
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the average Netflix subscriber spent about two hours per day streaming content on the platform.
That number increased by 61% during the pandemic, meaning that the average user now streams 3.2 hours of video per day. It may not seem like much, but that adds up to 99 hours each month.
There is almost no gender gap among Netflix users
(Finances Online)
Women make up a larger portion of Netflix’s user base than men, but just barely, at 51%.
70% of Netflix users have binge-watched a television show at least once
(Business Insider)
Binge-watching is defined as watching three or more episodes in one sitting. It’s massively popular among Netflix viewers: 70% admit to having done so, and one-third do so once a week.
The average binge session? According to viewers, it totals about three to five episodes.
A majority of Netflix streaming is done on televisions
(Finances Online)
About 70% of Netflix content is viewed on a television, compared to just the 15% that is streamed on laptops.
Somewhat surprisingly, even fewer subscribers use their mobile device or a tablet to stream content (just 10% and 5%, respectively).
100 million users share a Netflix password
(Netflix)
According to a shareholder letter published by Netflix, it is estimated that as many as 100 million subscribers around the world have shared their passwords – and therefore their accounts – with at least one other person.
In an effort to circumvent this, the company is now exploring the possibility of Paid Sharing, stricter password security measures, and even a more affordable ad-supported plan.
The addition of Paid Sharing would contribute an extra $721 million in North American revenue alone
(The Wall Street Journal)
America and Canada make up such a large portion of Netflix’s subscriber base that introducing Paid Sharing to the market could add a staggering $721 million USD in additional revenue for the company.
72% of American subscribers would refuse to subscribe to ad-supported Netflix plans
(Statista)
In a recent survey, an overwhelming 72% of Americans said they were “unlikely” or even “very unlikely” to subscribe to an ad-supported Netflix plan, even if the plan cost less each month.
Netflix content statistics
There are over 17,000 titles available to watch worldwide
(uNoGs)
As of March 2023, Netflix has a total of more than 17,000 titles available to watch across its international libraries.
Netflix’s personalized recommendations could save the company $1 billion USD annually
(Business Insider)
Many users wonder how their content algorithm has become so tailored to their tastes. The recommendation engine actually considers dozens of other algorithms and compares yours with similar users all over the world to make the best recommendations.
According to Netflix, this type of technology could save them as much as $1 billion USD per year. That’s because it keeps users from quitting due to recommendations that weren’t personalized enough.
That engine is well worth it, as 80% of users watch what it recommends
(Facts.net)
Netflix has found that users are far more likely to watch the titles recommended to them rather than the initial shows they see. In fact, as many as 80% of users choose to watch algorithm-recommended titles.
Korean content is one of the most popular genres among Netflix subscribers worldwide
(Netflix)
According to Netflix, more than 60% of all global subscribers watched at least one K-content film or television show in 2022.
In fact, the Korean television and movies available to users regularly top the platform’s Global Top 10 list. Three of its most-watched shows were even made in Korea.
Netflix has created over 1,500 original series and movies
(Comparitech)
Since launching its first piece of original content in 2013, Netflix has produced more than 1,500 original television series and movies.
House of Cards was the platform’s first true original piece of television (2013), and its first original movie was Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend (2015).
Netflix spent over $16 billion USD on content last year
(Variety)
Netflix paid $16.8 billion USD for content in 2022 and, while that seems like a steep price, it’s actually almost 5% less than the amount they spent in 2021 ($17.7 billion USD).
The platform’s spending ground to a halt in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic ($11.8 billion USD), but it has grown every other year in the past decade.
Original content will increase by almost 10% by 2025
(Statista)
In 2020, less than 40% of Netflix’s budget was allocated to creating original content. That number is expected to increase by 8.7% over the next two years, bringing it to a total of 46.5% in 2025.
Wednesday generated 1 billion streaming hours in less than a month
(CNET)
Wednesday, an Addams Family reboot that premiered in 2022, quickly became one of the most popular Netflix English-spoken series ever. In just three weeks, it racked up more than 3 billion streaming hours.
Squid Game is the most-watched Netflix series of all time
(CNET)
Last year’s South Korean survival drama Squid Game became an overnight success when users streamed it for 1.65 billion hours in less than a month. It quickly became the most-watched series the platform has ever seen, with 142 million member households watching all over the world.
Netflix television content was nominated for 105 Emmys in 2022
(Statista, Netflix)
Netflix television programs, including Ozark, Squid Game, and Bridgerton, racked up a total of 105 Emmys last year. In total, the platform’s original work won 26 of those awards, including Best Actor (Squid Game), Best Supporting Actress (Ozark), and Best Stunt Coordination (Stranger Things).
27 original Netflix films were nominated for Oscars in 2022
(Netflix Life)
Netflix-created films, including The Power of the Dog, Don’t Look Up, and Tick, Tick… Boom! were nominated for a total of 27 Oscars last year. Those nominations included two for Best Picture (The Power of the Dog and Don’t Look Up) as well as Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Actor.
Despite the number of nominations, Netflix took just one award home, for The Power of the Dog. The film, which was also the most-nominated film of the year with 12 total nominations, won the award for Best Director.
Japan’s Netflix library is host to more award-winning titles than any other
(Advanced Television)
A study has recently found that Japan is home to the best catalogue in the world when factoring in its IMDb total as well as award wins and award nominations. Its content is so high quality that it has been nominated for more than 40,000 awards and won over 19,000 of them.
The most popular Netflix shows and movies
The most-watched English-speaking Netflix television show is Stranger Things 4
(Netflix)
Stranger Things 4, a sci-fi drama based in the 1980s, was streamed for a total of nearly 1.4 billion hours in its first 28 days on the platform. This makes it the single most-watched English show on the platform.
The most popular English-speaking television shows on Netflix are (based on hours streamed in the first 28 days):
- Stranger Things 4 (1.3 billion hours)
- Wednesday, Season 1 (1.2 billion hours)
- DAHMER: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (856 million hours)
- Bridgerton, Season 2 (656 million hours)
- Bridgerton, Season 1 (625 million hours)
- Stranger Things 3 (582 million hours)
- Lucifer, Season 5 (569 million hours)
- The Witcher, Season 1 (541 million hours)
- Inventing Anna (511 million hours)
- Ginny & Georgia, Season 2 (504 million hours)
Red Notice is Netflix’s most-watched English-speaking movie
(Netflix)
Red Notice, an action-comedy film starring Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, and Dwayne Johnson, racked up 364 million streaming hours in its first 28 days on the platform. Today, it has been watched more than any other English-speaking film in Netflix’s libraries.
The most popular English-speaking films on Netflix are (based on hours streamed in the first 28 days):
- Red Notice (364 million hours)
- Don’t Look Up (359 million hours)
- Bird Box (282 million hours)
- Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (279 million hours)
- The Gray Man (253 million hours)
- The Adam Project (233 million hours)
- Extraction (231 million hours)
- Purple Hearts (228 million hours)
- The Unforgivable (214.7 million hours)
- The Irishman (214.5 million hours)
Conclusion
If its growth over the past two decades or these 40+ statistics can serve as indicators, Netflix is here to stay. Day after day, its content gets more exciting and innovative, meaning that its competitors will have to work even harder to keep up.
What do you think about Netflix? Do you binge-watch your favorite shows, share a password, or watch any of its award-winning films? Above all, are you one of the few who would pay for an ad-supported subscription tier?
Let us know by sharing your thoughts in a comment below!
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