GITNUXREPORT 2025

Language Industry Statistics

Language industry grows rapidly, embracing AI, localization, and diverse language needs.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Over 80% of language service providers stated that remote working increased their global reach

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There is an increasing trend in the demand for audiovisual translation, including subtitles and dubbing, which saw growth of 20% in 2022

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According to a 2022 survey, 65% of translation agencies plan to invest more in AI and automation tools

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In 2023, nearly 40% of translation projects involved some form of localization, especially in the gaming and software sectors

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The average age of professional translators is 45 years old, indicating upcoming retirements and a potential skill gap

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Artificial intelligence is expected to replace around 30% of less specialized translation jobs by 2030, creating shifts in employment patterns

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Over 70% of translation companies report that client demand for 24/7 support has increased post-pandemic, highlighting the need for flexible services

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The translation industry’s carbon footprint reduction initiatives saw a 15% increase in 2022, with many adopting greener practices

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The average duration of a translation project has decreased by 10% over the past five years due to automation and project management tools

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The number of specialized translation fields, such as patent, medical device, or financial translations, has increased by 25% since 2018, illustrating industry diversification

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Around 35% of translation vendors reported challenges due to geopolitical tensions impacting cross-border projects in 2022

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The global language services market was valued at approximately $56.18 billion in 2021

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The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2027

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The AI-powered translation market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2026

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The use of machine translation in the industry increased by 40% in 2022 compared to 2021

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The demand for certified translations increased by 15% in 2022, driven mostly by immigration and legal needs

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The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for language services, with a CAGR of 7%

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The language industry employs over 2 million people worldwide, including translators, interpreters, localization specialists, and project managers

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The demand for legal translation services increased by approximately 12% in 2022 due to rising international litigation

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Machine translation tools like Google Translate process over 100 billion words daily, indicating massive usage in the industry

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The global interpretation services market was valued at over $4 billion in 2021, with a projected growth of 7% CAGR through 2028

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The healthcare industry is the second largest user of translation services, accounting for nearly 30% of the total industry revenue

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There was a 25% increase in demand for remote simultaneous interpreting during international webinars and conferences in 2022

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45% of translation agencies generate over half their revenue from multilingual content management

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The demand for sign language interpretation services has grown by 18% in 2022, driven by increased awareness and inclusivity initiatives

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The most common language combination requested in translation services is English to Spanish

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Approximately 75% of translation agencies aim to expand their services to include localization

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Over 60% of language service providers reported an increase in demand for Asian language translations in 2022

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The most requested language in Europe is English, followed by German and French

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The United States accounts for roughly 25% of the global language industry revenue

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90% of global business leaders believe that language barriers impact customer retention

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Over 50 languages have more than 1 million speakers each, emphasizing the diversity in translation needs

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The top five countries with the highest number of certified translators are the USA, India, China, Russia, and Germany

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The median hourly rate for freelance translators varies globally, from $20 in developing countries to over $70 in North America and Western Europe

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55% of language service providers report difficulty in recruiting qualified translators, especially for less common languages

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The majority of translation projects are conducted for the European Union, which handles over 1 million documents annually

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The top three regions for emerging growth in the language industry are Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, each with higher than 7% CAGR

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The average translation project costs around $0.12 per word

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Approximately 85% of translation and localization companies offer software localization services as part of their portfolio

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The top three industries requiring translation services are legal, medical, and technical

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The average turnaround time for a standard document translation is between 24 to 48 hours

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The number of certified professional translators globally is estimated to be over 400,000

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The most common format for translation projects is PDF, followed by Word documents

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The most common certification for professional translators is the ATA (American Translators Association) certification

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Approximately 70% of language service providers utilize CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools

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Approximately 60% of translation projects are conducted online through cloud-based platforms

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The most common translation software used by agencies is SDL Trados Studio, used by over 50% of agencies

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Key Highlights

The global language services market was valued at approximately $56.18 billion in 2021
The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2027
The most common language combination requested in translation services is English to Spanish
Approximately 75% of translation agencies aim to expand their services to include localization
The AI-powered translation market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2026
Over 60% of language service providers reported an increase in demand for Asian language translations in 2022
The average translation project costs around $0.12 per word
The most requested language in Europe is English, followed by German and French
The United States accounts for roughly 25% of the global language industry revenue
Over 80% of language service providers stated that remote working increased their global reach
Approximately 85% of translation and localization companies offer software localization services as part of their portfolio
The use of machine translation in the industry increased by 40% in 2022 compared to 2021
The top three industries requiring translation services are legal, medical, and technical

The language industry is booming like never before, with a market valued at over $56 billion in 2021 and propelled by rapid growth in AI, localization, and multilingual services across global markets.

Industry Trends and Innovation

Over 80% of language service providers stated that remote working increased their global reach
There is an increasing trend in the demand for audiovisual translation, including subtitles and dubbing, which saw growth of 20% in 2022
According to a 2022 survey, 65% of translation agencies plan to invest more in AI and automation tools
In 2023, nearly 40% of translation projects involved some form of localization, especially in the gaming and software sectors
The average age of professional translators is 45 years old, indicating upcoming retirements and a potential skill gap
Artificial intelligence is expected to replace around 30% of less specialized translation jobs by 2030, creating shifts in employment patterns
Over 70% of translation companies report that client demand for 24/7 support has increased post-pandemic, highlighting the need for flexible services
The translation industry’s carbon footprint reduction initiatives saw a 15% increase in 2022, with many adopting greener practices
The average duration of a translation project has decreased by 10% over the past five years due to automation and project management tools
The number of specialized translation fields, such as patent, medical device, or financial translations, has increased by 25% since 2018, illustrating industry diversification
Around 35% of translation vendors reported challenges due to geopolitical tensions impacting cross-border projects in 2022

Industry Trends and Innovation Interpretation

As the translation industry accelerates toward automation and globalization, it simultaneously grapples with an aging workforce, increasing demand for audiovisual and specialized services, and a pressing need for greener practices—all while navigating the geopolitical turbulence that threatens to fragment this ever-expanding linguistic mosaic.

Market Size and Growth

The global language services market was valued at approximately $56.18 billion in 2021
The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2027
The AI-powered translation market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2026
The use of machine translation in the industry increased by 40% in 2022 compared to 2021
The demand for certified translations increased by 15% in 2022, driven mostly by immigration and legal needs
The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for language services, with a CAGR of 7%
The language industry employs over 2 million people worldwide, including translators, interpreters, localization specialists, and project managers
The demand for legal translation services increased by approximately 12% in 2022 due to rising international litigation
Machine translation tools like Google Translate process over 100 billion words daily, indicating massive usage in the industry
The global interpretation services market was valued at over $4 billion in 2021, with a projected growth of 7% CAGR through 2028
The healthcare industry is the second largest user of translation services, accounting for nearly 30% of the total industry revenue
There was a 25% increase in demand for remote simultaneous interpreting during international webinars and conferences in 2022
45% of translation agencies generate over half their revenue from multilingual content management
The demand for sign language interpretation services has grown by 18% in 2022, driven by increased awareness and inclusivity initiatives

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

As the language industry blossoms into a $56.18 billion global mosaic, fueled by AI’s rapid ascent, Asia-Pacific’s rapid growth, and an unwavering demand for certified and inclusive communications, it’s clear that in a world of 100 billion words processed daily, speaking everyone’s language is both a lucrative venture and a vital bridge in our interconnected, multilingual universe.

Regional and Language-Specific Insights

The most common language combination requested in translation services is English to Spanish
Approximately 75% of translation agencies aim to expand their services to include localization
Over 60% of language service providers reported an increase in demand for Asian language translations in 2022
The most requested language in Europe is English, followed by German and French
The United States accounts for roughly 25% of the global language industry revenue
90% of global business leaders believe that language barriers impact customer retention
Over 50 languages have more than 1 million speakers each, emphasizing the diversity in translation needs
The top five countries with the highest number of certified translators are the USA, India, China, Russia, and Germany
The median hourly rate for freelance translators varies globally, from $20 in developing countries to over $70 in North America and Western Europe
55% of language service providers report difficulty in recruiting qualified translators, especially for less common languages
The majority of translation projects are conducted for the European Union, which handles over 1 million documents annually
The top three regions for emerging growth in the language industry are Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, each with higher than 7% CAGR

Regional and Language-Specific Insights Interpretation

As the language industry evolves—with English to Spanish leading the charge, Asian languages gaining ground, and the U.S. commanding a quarter of global revenue—it's clear that breaking down language barriers remains the ultimate multilingual marathon, demanding both strategic expansion and an increasingly diverse and globalized workforce.

Services, Certifications, and Specializations

The average translation project costs around $0.12 per word
Approximately 85% of translation and localization companies offer software localization services as part of their portfolio
The top three industries requiring translation services are legal, medical, and technical
The average turnaround time for a standard document translation is between 24 to 48 hours
The number of certified professional translators globally is estimated to be over 400,000
The most common format for translation projects is PDF, followed by Word documents
The most common certification for professional translators is the ATA (American Translators Association) certification

Services, Certifications, and Specializations Interpretation

With over 400,000 certified translators worldwide ready to turn words into bridges—often in PDF or Word formats—it's clear that for just a dime a word, industries like legal, medical, and technical sectors rely heavily on localization services, often within a tight 24 to 48-hour window, underscoring both the professionalism and speed demanded in today's globalized communication landscape.

Technology and Software Utilization

Approximately 70% of language service providers utilize CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools
Approximately 60% of translation projects are conducted online through cloud-based platforms
The most common translation software used by agencies is SDL Trados Studio, used by over 50% of agencies

Technology and Software Utilization Interpretation

With roughly 70% of language providers relying on CAT tools and over half embracing SDL Trados Studio, it's clear that the industry is translating into a digital world where cloud-based efficiency and software dominance are rewriting the language landscape.