GITNUXREPORT 2025

Animation Industry Statistics

Animation industry worth $268 billion, streaming, CGI, and global growth accelerate.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Over 10 million videos related to animation are viewed daily on TikTok

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Approximately 65% of animated content on streaming services is aimed at children under 12

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Approximately 350,000 people are employed in the animation industry worldwide

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The average salary for an animator in the United States is around $70,000 per year

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The number of new animation studios opening globally has increased by 35% over the last four years

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The average age of an animation professional in the industry is 32 years old

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The number of female professionals in animation has increased by 20% in the last five years

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The global animation industry was valued at approximately $268 billion in 2020

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The North American animation market is expected to reach $47 billion by 2024

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The animation segment accounts for over 30% of the total entertainment industry's revenue

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The average budget for a high-quality animated feature film can range from $70 million to over $200 million

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The rise of streaming platforms has increased demand for animated content by 25% over the past five years

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In 2022, Netflix alone invested over $17 billion in original content, including a significant portion in animation

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The global CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) market is projected to reach $25 billion by 2025

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The animated TV shows market share in children’s programming is over 40% globally

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Over 75% of animated films released in 2022 grossed more than $100 million worldwide

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Japan’s anime industry exports more than $19 billion annually

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The number of YouTube channels dedicated to animation has increased by over 150% in the last three years

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The global virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in animation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 70% between 2023 and 2030

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The average earnings per stream of animated content on streaming platforms varies between $0.02 and $0.05

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In 2021, Disney’s animation division generated approximately $10 billion in revenue

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The most popular animated film of all time, "The Lion King," grossed over $968 million worldwide

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3D animation accounts for roughly 55% of the overall animation market share

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Over 2 billion viewers globally watch animated videos on social media monthly

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The demand for animated short videos on digital platforms has increased by 45% in the past year

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The global video game animation market is projected to reach $5 billion by 2027, emphasizing the overlap with traditional animation

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The average production cost for an animated TV series is around $1-2 million per episode

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The global market for animated advertising is projected to reach $12 billion by 2024

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The most well-known animated character, Mickey Mouse, was created in 1928 and continues to be a cultural icon

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The annual revenue generated from branded merchandise of animated characters exceeds $8 billion globally

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The distribution of animation content has shifted, with digital platforms accounting for over 70% of worldwide distribution channels in 2023

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The average first-year earnings of an independent animator in the industry are approximately $15,000

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The global market for animated medical videos is expected to double by 2026, reaching $3 billion

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Over 90% of animated films produced for children feature positive social messages

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The top-earning animation studio in 2022 was Pixar, with estimated revenues of over $1 billion

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The number of international co-productions in animation increased by 20% in 2022

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The global market for mobile animated games is expected to reach $11 billion by 2025

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The top three countries producing the most animation content are the US, Japan, and South Korea

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Over 80% of animated content consumed globally is produced in North America and Asia

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Approximately 60% of animated movies are produced with CGI technology

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The average time to produce a feature-length animated film is between 3 to 5 years

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The animation industry is increasingly adopting AI for creative processes, with over 40% of studios experimenting with AI tools

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65% of animated films produced in 2023 used a combination of traditional and digital animation techniques

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The use of motion capture technology in animation production increased by 50% from 2019 to 2022

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Virtual production technology in animation is reducing production times by approximately 25%

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The animation industry’s carbon footprint has decreased by 15% over the last five years due to greener production practices

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Key Highlights

The global animation industry was valued at approximately $268 billion in 2020
The North American animation market is expected to reach $47 billion by 2024
Approximately 350,000 people are employed in the animation industry worldwide
The average salary for an animator in the United States is around $70,000 per year
The animation segment accounts for over 30% of the total entertainment industry's revenue
The top three countries producing the most animation content are the US, Japan, and South Korea
Over 80% of animated content consumed globally is produced in North America and Asia
The average budget for a high-quality animated feature film can range from $70 million to over $200 million
The rise of streaming platforms has increased demand for animated content by 25% over the past five years
In 2022, Netflix alone invested over $17 billion in original content, including a significant portion in animation
The global CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) market is projected to reach $25 billion by 2025
Approximately 60% of animated movies are produced with CGI technology
The average time to produce a feature-length animated film is between 3 to 5 years

The animation industry is soaring to new heights, with a value of $268 billion in 2020 and booming growth driven by streaming platforms, cutting-edge technology like CGI and VR, and a global workforce of over 350,000 talented professionals shaping a dynamic entertainment landscape.

Consumer Engagement and Distribution Platforms

Over 10 million videos related to animation are viewed daily on TikTok
Approximately 65% of animated content on streaming services is aimed at children under 12

Consumer Engagement and Distribution Platforms Interpretation

With over 10 million animation videos viewed daily on TikTok and nearly two-thirds of streaming animated content targeting children under 12, it's clear that animation not only captivates our screens but also shapes the next generation’s imaginations—highlighting its powerful role in both entertainment and cultural influence.

Industry Employment and Workforce

Approximately 350,000 people are employed in the animation industry worldwide
The average salary for an animator in the United States is around $70,000 per year
The number of new animation studios opening globally has increased by 35% over the last four years
The average age of an animation professional in the industry is 32 years old
The number of female professionals in animation has increased by 20% in the last five years

Industry Employment and Workforce Interpretation

With 350,000 global artists earning around $70,000 and a booming 35% surge in new studios, the animation industry proves that creativity and commerce continue to animate the world—while the rising tide of female professionals at just 32 years old promises a future full of diverse stories and innovative perspectives.

Market Size and Financials

The global animation industry was valued at approximately $268 billion in 2020
The North American animation market is expected to reach $47 billion by 2024
The animation segment accounts for over 30% of the total entertainment industry's revenue
The average budget for a high-quality animated feature film can range from $70 million to over $200 million
The rise of streaming platforms has increased demand for animated content by 25% over the past five years
In 2022, Netflix alone invested over $17 billion in original content, including a significant portion in animation
The global CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) market is projected to reach $25 billion by 2025
The animated TV shows market share in children’s programming is over 40% globally
Over 75% of animated films released in 2022 grossed more than $100 million worldwide
Japan’s anime industry exports more than $19 billion annually
The number of YouTube channels dedicated to animation has increased by over 150% in the last three years
The global virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in animation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 70% between 2023 and 2030
The average earnings per stream of animated content on streaming platforms varies between $0.02 and $0.05
In 2021, Disney’s animation division generated approximately $10 billion in revenue
The most popular animated film of all time, "The Lion King," grossed over $968 million worldwide
3D animation accounts for roughly 55% of the overall animation market share
Over 2 billion viewers globally watch animated videos on social media monthly
The demand for animated short videos on digital platforms has increased by 45% in the past year
The global video game animation market is projected to reach $5 billion by 2027, emphasizing the overlap with traditional animation
The average production cost for an animated TV series is around $1-2 million per episode
The global market for animated advertising is projected to reach $12 billion by 2024
The most well-known animated character, Mickey Mouse, was created in 1928 and continues to be a cultural icon
The annual revenue generated from branded merchandise of animated characters exceeds $8 billion globally
The distribution of animation content has shifted, with digital platforms accounting for over 70% of worldwide distribution channels in 2023
The average first-year earnings of an independent animator in the industry are approximately $15,000
The global market for animated medical videos is expected to double by 2026, reaching $3 billion
Over 90% of animated films produced for children feature positive social messages
The top-earning animation studio in 2022 was Pixar, with estimated revenues of over $1 billion
The number of international co-productions in animation increased by 20% in 2022
The global market for mobile animated games is expected to reach $11 billion by 2025

Market Size and Financials Interpretation

With animation now commanding over a quarter-trillion-dollar industry, thriving across streaming giants and social media megastars alike, it's clear that not only are colorful characters shaping entertainment but also fueling a digital economy where billions are made on everything from blockbuster films to viral shorts—proving that in the animated realm, imagination really is money in motion.

Regional and Country-Specific Insights

The top three countries producing the most animation content are the US, Japan, and South Korea
Over 80% of animated content consumed globally is produced in North America and Asia

Regional and Country-Specific Insights Interpretation

With North America and Asia overproducing 80% of animated content, it’s clear that these regions have truly animated the world’s entertainment palette—leaving the rest of us still waiting for our turn in the creative spotlight.

Technologies and Production Techniques

Approximately 60% of animated movies are produced with CGI technology
The average time to produce a feature-length animated film is between 3 to 5 years
The animation industry is increasingly adopting AI for creative processes, with over 40% of studios experimenting with AI tools
65% of animated films produced in 2023 used a combination of traditional and digital animation techniques
The use of motion capture technology in animation production increased by 50% from 2019 to 2022
Virtual production technology in animation is reducing production times by approximately 25%
The animation industry’s carbon footprint has decreased by 15% over the last five years due to greener production practices

Technologies and Production Techniques Interpretation

As the animation industry gracefully balances tradition and innovation—producing colorful CGI masterpieces in record time while embracing AI and sustainable practices—it's clear that creativity is evolving at a pace as rapid as the animations themselves.