Massive Open Online Course Market Report 2026

The massive open online course market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $30.24 billion in 2025 to $40.68 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing global internet accessibility, rising demand for flexible education models, growth of lifelong learning culture, expansion of online education platforms, availability of open educational resources.

The massive open online course market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $134.07 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for workforce upskilling, rising corporate adoption of online training, expansion of immersive and interactive learning formats, growing integration of certification-based programs, increasing focus on outcome-based education. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of skill-oriented online courses, growing adoption of micro-credential programs, rising use of ai-based personalized learning, increasing collaboration with industry experts, enhanced focus on learner engagement tools.

A rising preference for online learning worldwide is driving growth in the massive open online course (MOOC) market. Online learning refers to education delivered via the internet, creating a learning environment that connects students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives through computers, laptops, smartphones, and high-speed internet connections. The advent of the internet and advancements in technology have shifted preferences from traditional learning to online formats, thus increasing the demand for MOOCs. For example, a January 2024 report from Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, indicated that 30% of internet users in the EU aged 16 to 74 had participated in an online course or utilized online learning materials in the three months prior to the survey, marking a 2 percentage point increase from 2022 (28%). Among EU member states, the Netherlands had the highest percentage of internet users engaged in online learning (54%), followed by Finland (53%), Sweden (48%), Spain (47%), and Estonia (45%). Consequently, the growing preference for online learning globally is contributing significantly to the expansion of the MOOC market.

Leading companies in the massive open online course (MOOC) sector are concentrating on creating innovative virtual learning programs, such as introductory online courses, to promote personalized education through inter-university collaboration. Introductory online courses are beginner-level classes that introduce the foundational concepts of a subject via structured video lectures, readings, quizzes, and activities, designed to be accessible and self-paced. For example, in February 2023, EUNICE European University, a Europe-based education and interactive learning platform, launched 'Introduction to Global Studies', a free MOOC available to both EUNICE members and the general public. This course offers an introductory overview of global studies, addressing topics including the global economy, society, culture, health, and sustainability. Participants gain access to a wide array of video and written resources and can complete the eight lessons and activities at their own pace using EUNICE's Moodle virtual platform. Upon successfully finishing the course, participants receive a certificate issued by EUNICE on behalf of all member universities within the EUNICE Alliance.

In May 2024, Accenture plc, an Ireland-based technology and professional services firm, acquired Udacity for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, Accenture sought to enhance its digital learning and workforce upskilling offerings by incorporating Udacity’s expertise in AI, cloud, and technology training into its LearnVantage education portfolio. Udacity, Inc., a US-based technology education company, specializes in delivering online courses and Nanodegree programs focused on digital skills, including artificial intelligence, data science, and cloud computing.

Major companies operating in the massive open online course market include Alison, Coursera Inc., Federica. EU, FutureLearn, Instructure, Intellipaat, Iverity, Jigsaw Academy, Kadenze Inc., LinkedIn Learning, Miriada X, NovoEd Inc., Pluralsight Inc., Simplilearn Solutions Pvt LTD, Skillshare Inc, Udacity India Private Limited, Udemy Inc., MOOC-CN Information Technology(Beijing)Co. Ltd., Blackboard Inc., Canvas Network Inc., WizIQ Inc., Linkstreet Learning Private Limited, Open2study, edX LLC, Pluralsight LLC, Brain4ce Education Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Edmodo, Khan Academy, My Mooc, Codecademy, Course360, Cengage Learning, ProctorU Inc., The Saylor Foundation, Udacity Inc.

North America was the largest region in the massive open online course market in 2025.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the massive open online course market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the massive open online course market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The massive open online course market includes revenues earned by entities by providing massive open online course platforms and services including MOOC services such as consulting, implementation, training, and support for different courses including science, health, medicine, education, and training, as well as engineering. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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