In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s important to have the right data before you make any business decisions. We spent some time with our team and marketers to gather very important trends, facts and statistics in the video production industry, all in one place to help you make the right decision.
Animation Industry in the World: General Numbers
As of 2023, the global animation industry was worth $371.21 billion and continues to grow at an impressive pace. By 2032, it is anticipated to reach beyond $580 billion (Zion Market Research).
Meanwhile, the 3D animation market was estimated at $22.67 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3% through 2030. North America held the largest share of the 3D industry, taking 37.2% of its revenue in 2022.(Grand View Research)
Another area of fast growth in the animation industry is video streaming, which was estimated to be worth $674.25 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to $2,660.88 billion by 2032 (Fortune Business Insights). In 2025, revenue of all streaming platforms and services is predicted to come up to US$144.6m. (Statista)
The growth of the streaming and gaming industries, alongside recent advancements in AI, has also helped fuel the development of the global VFX and post-production industry, which is set to be worth $50 billion by 2030. (Yahoo!Finance)
One of the main drivers of VFX is virtual production which combines CGI, real-world filming, and virtual LED screens to produce images or footage without the need for the traditional green screen. The virtual production market is expected to grow from $3.1 billion in 2023 to $5.1 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 14.5% ((Market&Markets).
With the growing demand for visual effects and CGI, the industry of animation software is also rapidly expanding. This market is currently valued at $12 billion. (Grand View Research)
What Countries Produce the Most Animation?
Measuring the scale of animation production is no easy task—should a high-budget animated blockbuster be counted the same as a 10-second animated reel on social media? A more practical approach is to assess the industry’s economic impact, looking at the revenue it generates across different regions:
- United States – the industry contributes $23+ billion annually. (DataBridge)
- Japan – anime generates $20+ billion each year. (Statista)
- France – one of the leaders in the animation industry, with the amount of animation production companies growing almost 3 times in the last two decades (from 74 in 2004 to 202 in 2023). (Statista)
- South Korea – a key player in global animation, with its production sector generating $400+ million in 2022. (Statista)
- India – a booming market, expected to surpass $24.48 billion by 2032 from $1.89 billion in 2024. (Markets & Data)
Which Country has the Highest Demand for Animators?
- United States – The biggest market for animation jobs today, with over 70,000 professional animators and growing needs in gaming, film, and marketing. Major cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Austin are the major animation hubs. (Animation Career Review)
- Japan – The anime industry is still growing, and many animators are needed for TV series, films, and digital content.
- China – The number of animation studios is rapidly increasing, and significant government investment in domestic production has made Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen important centers for animation careers.
- Canada and the UK have fairly strong job markets for animation jobs due to government incentives for film and digital media production.
- Spain & France – Europe’s increasing demand for animation has made Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris key cities for professionals with growing opportunities in the gaming and VFX industries. (Animation Career Review)
And here are the salaries of the largest US animation production companies:
Source: Career Foundry
How Many People Work as Animators?
As mentioned before, over 70,000+ people work as professional animators in the US only (BLS), and over 500,000+ animators worldwide, including freelancers & hobbyists.
Which is the Biggest Animation Studio?
Walt Disney Animation Studios was the #1 studio globally, generating $5.46 billion box office worldwide in 2024. It is also the richest animation company.
Which Country are Most Cartoons From?
By 2022, the United States had commissioned more animated series than any other nation, totaling 313. Japan was in second place with 214 series, and France had 65 in development. (Statista)
What’s Next? Top Video Animation Trends to Watch
- AI-Assisted Animation – Machine learning is revolutionizing workflows. But is AI in animation a hype or game-changer? Find out here.
- Hyper-Realistic 3D & Virtual Production – Real-time 3D replaces green screens (The Mandalorian effect).
- NFT & Blockchain Animation – While the initial NFT boom has cooled, digital collectibles and blockchain-powered animation are still shaping niche creative economies, with some brands exploring exclusive content and ownership models.
- Hybrid 2D-3D Styles – Blending traditional 2D with 3D for visually stunning results. Here’s an example video about data security.
- Edutainment Boom – Animated explainer videos & e-learning are skyrocketing. See why here.
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