Segments - by Badge Type (Professional Certification Badges, Academic Achievement Badges, Skill-Based Badges, Compliance and Training Badges, Event Participation Badges, & Micro-Credentials), by End-User Industry (Education And Academia, Corporate & Enterprise, Government, Nonprofits & NGOs, & Healthcare), by Deployment Type (On-Premise, Cloud-Based Solutions, Hybrid Solutions), by Platform (Web-Based Platforms, Mobile Applications, Blockchain-Based Badge Platforms), by Application (Education, Corporate Learning & Development, Online Learning Platforms, Workforce Credentialing, Skill-Based Training Program), by Issuer Type (Educational Institutions, Corporates, Nonprofits, Government Entities)
The global Digital badges market was estimated at USD 373.9 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1,734.2 Million by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 19.2 % during the forecast period.
Digital badges are online symbols that represent achievements, skills, or competencies earned through educational, training, or professional activities. These badges act as digital credentials, offering visual proof of accomplishment that can be shared on platforms like social media, digital portfolios, or professional networks. Each badge is tied to specific criteria or standards, signifying that the recipient has demonstrated expertise in a particular area. By enhancing learning experiences, fostering motivation, and supporting credentialing in both formal and informal education, digital badges play a pivotal role. The digital badge ecosystem includes their creation, issuance, management, and recognition across diverse industries and educational settings.
The COVID-19 pandemic positively influenced the digital badge market by accelerating the growth of e-learning, online certifications, and digital learning platforms. It also heightened the demand for skill verification and validation, driven by emerging industry needs and evolving skill requirements. The pandemic prompted a global transition to virtual distance learning and training, significantly boosting the demand for digital badges. Educational institutions, corporate training programs, and certification bodies increasingly turned to digital platforms to maintain operations during shutdowns.
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning experienced a surge in users as students and professionals sought to enhance their skills during lockdowns. These platforms extensively utilize digital badges to certify course completions and skill acquisitions.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also impacting the digital badge ecosystem by enabling personalized learning paths and adaptive assessments. AI-driven platforms recommend badges based on an individual performance, learning style, or career aspirations, providing an advanced learning experience. Machine learning algorithms assess badge recipients’ skills and achievements, offering employers deep insights into their capabilities. For instance, in November 2023, O'Reilly launched its digital badging program. O'Reilly, a major platform for technology and business training, introduced a new initiative that leverages the Open Badges 2.0 standard. This program offers learners verifiable and shareable badges that validate the technological skills they acquire through expert-led learning.
The expansion of the global digital badge market is significantly influenced by economic growth. Heightened focus on skill development and lifelong learning accompanies expanding economies, resulting in the increased adoption of digital badges as reliable methods for recognizing competencies. The need for upskilling and reskilling becomes essential as economies grow and evolve, especially in technology-driven sectors. Companies and educational institutions turn to digital badges as a cost-effective solution to certify specific competencies, enabling individuals to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. Additionally, the increasing emphasis on lifelong learning in economically advanced regions fuels the adoption of digital badges, as they offer a flexible and scalable way to validate both formal and informal learning achievements.
The growth of e-learning platforms, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), has been significant. Platforms such as Coursera, edX, and others use digital badges to validate course completion and skill acquisition. Institutions and training providers are using digital badges to incentivize and recognize learners' achievements with the rise of online learning, thereby increasing learner engagement and retention. For instance, Students who complete courses or certifications on Coursera or edX receive digital badges.
Key market players are pursuing different strategies, such as collaboration and new launches. For example, in February 2023, the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB) debuted its digital badges in collaboration with Credly. Individuals who complete the certification/certificate program requirements and pass the PECB exam are issued a PECB digital credential.
Developing and underdeveloped economies frequently face significant challenges in establishing and maintaining robust IT infrastructure. These challenges are expected to impede economic growth, restrict access to information & services, and exacerbate social inequalities. Employers, educators, and potential earners in developing countries are frequently unaware of and unfamiliar with digital badges. Developing economies frequently have limited financial resources for investing in IT infrastructure. This results in outdated equipment, insufficient bandwidth, and a shortage of skilled personnel.
Blockchain technology provides a secure and transparent way to record and verify digital badges, increasing their credibility and trustworthiness. For example, organizations implement blockchain technology to create tamper-proof digital badges, ensuring that achievements are verifiable and secure, attracting an increasing number of users and employers. Creating and distributing digital badges is simple as digital tools and platforms are readily available. This has enabled organizations of all sizes to create and distribute digital badges. Advances in blockchain technology have enabled the creation of secure and tamper-proof digital badges.
Blockchain technology allows the creation of a secure, decentralized database suitable for storing digital badges. This increases the reliability and value of digital badges by preventing tampering or duplication.
The report on the global Digital badges market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes |
Details |
Report Title |
Digital Badges Market– Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast |
Base Year |
2023 |
Historic Data |
2017–2022 |
Forecast Period |
2024–2032 |
Segmentation |
By Badge Type (Professional Certification Badges, Academic Achievement Badges, Skill-Based Badges, Compliance and Training Badges, Event Participation Badges, & Micro-Credentials), by End-User Industry (Education And Academia, Corporate & Enterprise, Government, Nonprofits & NGOs, & Healthcare) by Deployment Type (On-Premise, Cloud-Based Solutions, and Hybrid Solutions), By Platform (Web-Based Platforms, Mobile Applications, and Blockchain-Based Badge Platforms), By Application (Education, Corporate Learning & Development, Online Learning Platforms, Workforce Credentialing, and Skill-Based Training Program), Issuer Type (Educational Institutions, Corporates, Nonprofits, and Government Entities). |
Regional Scope |
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage |
Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends, and Revenue Forecast |
Key Players Covered |
Accredible; BadgeCert; Badgecraft; Basno; City&Guilds; IBM; Instructure, Inc.; Litmos US, L.P.; Microsoft Corporation; MY OPEN BADGE (Reiss Romoli s.r.l.); NOCTI; Open Badge Factory Ltd; Pearson (Credly); Skillsoft Corporation. |
Based on Badge type, the global digital badge market is segmented into professional certification badges, academic achievement badges, skill-based badges, compliance and training badges, event participation badges, & micro-credentials. The professional certification badges segment held a 30.4% share of the market in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast due to increasing demand for verifiable proof of skills, as employers seek to validate candidates competencies.
Based on end-user industry, the market is segregated into education and academia, corporate & enterprise, government, nonprofits & NGOs, & healthcare. The education and academia segment held a 44.3% share of the market in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast period, increasing the adoption of digital badges in educational institutions to recognize student achievements and competencies.
Based on deployment type, the market is classified as on-premise, cloud-based solutions, and hybrid solutions. The cloud-based solutions segment held a 62.6% share of the market in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 19.4% during the forecast period, due to increasing demand for scalable and flexible badge management systems that easily integrate with existing learning management systems (LMS) and other educational platforms.
Based on platform market is segmented into web-based platforms, mobile applications, and blockchain-based badge platforms. The web-based platforms segment held a 62.5% share of the market in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 19.1% during the forecast period due to the increasing reliance on online learning and digital credentialing.
Based on application market is fragmented into education, corporate learning & development, online learning platforms, workforce credentialing, and skill-based training programs. The education segment held a 41.1% share of the market in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18.8% during the forecast period, due to increasing adoption of competency-based education models, digital credentialing in K-12 & higher education, and the rising demand for personalized learning experiences.
Based on of Issuer type the market is segmented into educational institutions, corporates, nonprofits, and government entities. The educational institutions segment held a 45.8% share of the market in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 19.2% during the forecast period, due to the rise of e-learning platforms and technological advancements facilitating badge issuance and management.
On the basis of region, the global Digital badge market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).
The market in North America held 40.7% market share in 2023 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast period. In North America, the digital badges market is experiencing a surge driven by the rising emphasis on skills-based hiring and lifelong learning. Major universities and online platforms are adopting digital badges to signify course completion and skill acquisition. For instance, the University of Illinois has integrated digital badges into its curriculum to recognize specific competencies in students. This move enhances the employability of graduates and also aligns educational institutions with industry needs. Furthermore, companies are increasingly using badges as part of their employee training programs, encouraging staff to acquire new skills.
The market in Europe held 26.2% market share in 2023 and the market in the region is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18.9% during the forecast period. The digital badge market is gaining momentum as part of the broad educational reform agenda in the region. Countries such as Finland and the Netherlands are leading the way by embedding badges into vocational training programs. For instance, the Finnish National Agency for Education has initiated a project to create a standardized framework for digital credentials, enhancing transparency in skill recognition across borders.
In-depth Analysis of the Global Digital Badges Market
Historical, Current, and Projected Market Size in terms of Value
Potential & Niche Segments and Regions Exhibiting Promising Growth Covered
Industry Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Covered in the Study
Recent Industry Trends and Developments
Competitive Landscape & Strategies of Key Players
Neutral Perspective on Global Digital badges Market performance
Players in the global digital badges market include Accredible, BadgeCert, Badgecraft, Basno, City&Guilds, IBM, Instructure, Inc., Litmos US, L.P., Microsoft Corporation, MY OPEN BADGE (Reiss Romoli s.r.l.), NOCTI, Open Badge Factory Ltd, Pearson (Credly), Skillsoft Corporation, and others.
Market players are pursuing key strategies such as acquisitions, collaborations, and geographic expansion where a potential opportunity arises for the Digital badges market.
In November 2023, Instructure Inc. announced the acquisition of Parchment. Parchment, a digital credential service, enables learners, academic institutions, and businesses to seek, verify, and share credentials. This acquisition comes after Parchment acquired Digitary, a digital credential provider in July 2021 as part of its global expansion strategy. The integration of Parchment is projected to significantly increase the Instructure's customer base while also providing learners with a full digital passport of their achievement records.
The base year considered for the global Digital badges market report is 2023. The complete analysis period is 2022 to 2032, wherein, 2017, and 2022 are the historic years, and the forecast is provided from 2024 to 2032.
In addition to market size (in USD Million) company market share (in % for the base year 2023) is available in the report. Moreover, additional data analysis can be provided on request.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the digital badges market, due to the growth of e-learning & online certifications, the rise in the adoption of digital learning platforms, increased demand for verification & validation, and emerging industries and skill demand. COVID-19 has created a need for verifiable skills and qualifications. The need for reliable, digitally verifiable credentials grew as remote work and learning increased. Digital badges have become a suitable solution for organizations looking to certify online learning achievements.
Accredible, BadgeCert, Badgecraft, Basno, City&Guilds, IBM, Instructure, Inc., Litmos US, L.P., Microsoft Corporation.
Economic Growth, Growth of Online Learning, Technological Advancement, Government Policies, and Education Reforms, are expected to act as macroeconomic factors for the market.
Education and academia, corporate & enterprise, government, nonprofits & NGOs, and healthcare
According to this Growth Market Reports report, the Digital badges market is likely to register a CAGR of 19.2% during the forecast period 2023-2032, with an anticipated valuation of USD 373.9 million by the end of 2032.
Rising Adoption of Online Learning and E-Learning Platforms, Increasing Demand for Skills-based Learning and Micro-credentials, and Increasing Adoption of Digital Badges by Various Verticals, are the factors driving the growth of the Digital badges market.
Factors such as competitive strength and market positioning are key areas considered while selecting top companies to be profiled.
Additional company profiles can be provided on request.