Every day, the world creates 402.74 million terabytes of data—enough to fill billions of smartphones. From text messages to video streams, this digital footprint grows each second. The numbers tell a story of rapid change: global data volume has jumped from 2 zettabytes in 2010 to 147 zettabytes in 2024.
This guide explores daily data creation, data center distribution, and content types driving this growth. You’ll learn how video leads with 53% of traffic, why the U.S. hosts 5,388 data centers, and what these trends mean for your business decisions.
Top 6+ Data Generated Statistics (Editor’s Picks)
We’ve handpicked 20+ of the latest global data statistics, facts, and trends. Here are 6 that we believe will blow you away.
| 1 | Approximately 402.74 million terabytes of data are created daily |
| 2 | Every minute, 16 million text messages are sent globally |
| 3 | From 2 zettabytes in 2010 to 147 zettabytes in 2024, global data creation has soared |
| 4 | Global data generation will reach 181 zettabytes in 2025 |
| 5 | The United States leads with 5,381 data centers |
| 6 | Over 361 billion emails are sent globally each day in 2024 |
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Data Growth Statistics
Daily global data generation reaches 2.5 quintillion bytes (Spacelift)
Every day, people and systems produce massive amounts of digital data—enough to match millions of hours of video or trillions of pages of text. This surge comes from greater internet access and the growing number of connected devices.
From 2 zettabytes in 2010 to 147 zettabytes in 2024, global data creation has soared (SOAX)
In just over a decade, global data production has multiplied dramatically, reflecting the digital transformation of societies worldwide. Every day, 402.89 million terabytes of data are created, powered by trends like cloud computing, streaming, and connected devices.
Approximately 402.74 million terabytes of data are created daily (Exploding Topics)
The world generates an immense 402.74 million terabytes of data every day, reflecting the constant expansion of digital activity. From social media posts to business transactions, this data powers countless online services and technologies.
Global data volume reached 147 zettabytes in 2024 (Demandsage)
Over the past decade, the global amount of data generated annually has increased drastically, from 2 zettabytes in 2010 to an estimated 147 zettabytes in 2024. This translates to 402.89 million terabytes being created every single day.
Every minute, 16 million text messages are sent globally (World Economic Forum)
Texting continues to dominate real-time communication, with millions of messages exchanged each minute for personal chats, business updates, and two-factor authentication codes. Its simplicity and speed keep it relevant despite evolving communication platforms.
Global data generation will reach 181 zettabytes in 2025 (Tech Business News)
In 2025, the world is expected to produce 181 zettabytes of data, continuing the rapid growth of the digital economy. This surge is fueled by advances in AI, IoT devices, and the expansion of cloud services.
Over 361 billion emails are sent globally each day in 2024 (Spacelift)
Emails continue to dominate digital communication, with billions sent daily for personal, professional, and automated tasks. This reflects the growing reliance on email for everything from work correspondence to online shopping updates.
Here’s a quick view of how much data has been generated each year from 2010 to 2025 (estimated):
| Year | Data Generated | Change Over Previous Year | Change Over Previous Year |
| 2010 | 2 zettabytes | – | – |
| 2011 | 5 zettabytes | ↑ 3 zettabytes | ↑ 150% |
| 2012 | 6.5 zettabytes | ↑ 1.5 zettabytes | ↑ 30% |
| 2013 | 9 zettabytes | ↑ 2.5 zettabytes | ↑ 38.46% |
| 2014 | 12.5 zettabytes | ↑ 3.5 zettabytes | ↑ 38.89% |
| 2015 | 15.5 zettabytes | ↑ 3 zettabytes | ↑ 24% |
| 2016 | 18 zettabytes | ↑ 2.5 zettabytes | ↑ 16.13% |
| 2017 | 26 zettabytes | ↑ 8 zettabytes | ↑ 44.44% |
| 2018* | 33 zettabytes | ↑ 7 zettabytes | ↑ 26.92% |
| 2019* | 41 zettabytes | ↑ 8 zettabytes | ↑ 24.24% |
| 2020* | 64.2 zettabytes | ↑ 23.2 zettabytes | ↑ 56.59% |
| 2021* | 79 zettabytes | ↑ 14.8 zettabytes | ↑ 23.05% |
| 2022* | 97 zettabytes | ↑ 18 zettabytes | ↑ 22.78% |
| 2023* | 120 zettabytes | ↑ 23 zettabytes | ↑ 23.71% |
| 2024* | 147 zettabytes | ↑ 27 zettabytes | ↑ 22.5% |
| 2025* | 181 zettabytes | ↑ 34 zettabytes | ↑ 23.13% |
Top Country with Most Data Center
The United States leads with 5,388 data centers (Visual Capitalist)
The U.S. has the highest number of data centers globally, far outpacing other countries. These facilities power everything from cloud computing to web hosting, supporting the nation’s massive digital economy and global internet infrastructure.
Germany ranks second globally with 522 data centers (Visual Capitalist)
Germany has the second-highest number of data centers in the world, reflecting its strong position in the European tech and digital markets. These facilities play a key role in supporting cloud computing, enterprise operations, and data storage for global companies.
With 517 data centers, the United Kingdom is a close third globally (Visual Capitalist)
The United Kingdom’s data center infrastructure plays a vital role in Europe’s digital economy. Positioned right behind Germany, the UK supports major cloud providers, e-commerce, and financial institutions.
China leads Asia with 449 data centers (Visual Capitalist)
China has the highest number of data centers in Asia, reflecting its rapidly growing digital economy. These facilities support massive platforms like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu, alongside global enterprises operating in the region.
Canada ranks fifth globally with 336 data centers (Visual Capitalist)
Canada’s 336 data centers reflect its growing presence in the global digital infrastructure. These facilities support key industries like telecommunications, finance, and technology, while also catering to the country’s demand for secure data storage.
Mexico leads Latin America with 170 data centers (Statista)
With 170 data centers, Mexico has the largest network in Latin America. These facilities are crucial for supporting the region’s growing demand for cloud computing, e-commerce, and digital transformation across industries.
With 152 data centers, India is a major player in Asia’s data landscape (Statista)
India’s data center network is key to powering its booming digital infrastructure. These centers enable the delivery of services for millions of users, from social media to online banking, in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Data Creation and Traffic by Category
Over 53% of global data traffic comes from video content (Exploding Topics)
Video content drives the majority of global data traffic, surpassing all other forms of online activity. Streaming platforms, short-form videos, and video conferencing all play a major role in this increase.
Each snap sent requires approximately 1MB of data, especially videos (Exploding Topics)
Most snaps, especially videos, consume about 1MB of data per message. As Snapchat users share moments throughout the day, data usage adds up quickly, making Wi-Fi a preferred option for many.
Social media uses 12.69% of global data traffic
Nearly 13% of worldwide data traffic comes from social media platforms. This includes scrolling through feeds, uploading posts, and watching videos on apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Default Spotify settings use over 2MB of data per 3-minute song (Exploding Topics)
Spotify’s default streaming quality uses about 2MB of data for every 3-minute song. At this rate, streaming a 1-hour playlist could use around 40MB of mobile data.
Gaming accounts for 9.86% of global data traffic (Exploding Topics)
Online gaming contributes nearly 10% of all data traffic worldwide. With the rise of multiplayer games, live streaming, and massive updates, the gaming industry consumes a significant share of internet bandwidth.
Netflix HD streaming uses around 3GB of data per hour (Airalo)
Streaming Netflix in high definition can use as much as 3GB of data every hour. For binge-watchers, this can mean tens of gigabytes in a single day, which could impact data limits.
Conclusion
From today’s 402.74 million terabytes per day to 2025’s projected 181 zettabytes annually, our digital universe expands at breathtaking speed. Video already commands 53% of all traffic, signaling a shift toward richer, more immersive content. Smart businesses aren’t just watching this transformation—they’re actively preparing to leverage tomorrow’s data landscape.
FAQ
How much data is created per day?
The world generates 402.74 million terabytes of data each day. This equals roughly 2.5 quintillion bytes of information.
What type of content creates the most data?
Video content dominates data traffic, accounting for 53% of all global data. This includes streaming services, video calls, and social media videos.
Which country has the most data centers?
The United States leads globally with 5,388 data centers. Germany ranks second with 522 data centers.
How many emails are sent daily?
Over 361 billion emails are sent globally each day in 2024. This includes both personal and business communications.
How many text messages are sent per minute?
People send 16 million text messages every minute worldwide. This number includes SMS, WhatsApp, and other messaging platforms.
