Email is a big part of how we talk to each other online, and it’s still going strong today.
It’s super useful whether we’re chatting with friends, working with colleagues, or getting the word out about something.
But just how huge is email’s world?
In this article, I’m going to share some cool facts and figures that show just how much we use email.
Let’s jump right in.
Click to jump ahead:
- Key email statistics
- 25 Essential email stats for understanding global communication patterns
- Wrapping up
Key email statistics
- An estimated 347.3 billion emails are sent each day around the globe, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year.
- On average, a person receives about 121 emails per day.
- There are approximately 4.26 to 4.37 billion email users worldwide in 2023
- Regarding the number of email accounts an individual has, the average is reported to be between 1.75 and 1.9 email accounts per user.
- Emails are dispatched and arrive almost immediately, within a few seconds.
25 Essential email stats for understanding global communication patterns
An estimated 347.3 billion emails are sent each day around the globe, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year
As internet access continues to expand, the global volume of daily email exchanges has risen annually since 2017.
The daily exchange of emails worldwide was around 333 billion in 2022, and it’s forecasted to reach 392.5 billion by 2026. In 2023, the daily email traffic averaged 347.3 billion, which represents a 4.3% growth from the year before.
This increasing pattern is anticipated to persist into 2024, with an expected count of 361.6 billion emails sent and received each day.(Statista)
On average, a person receives about 121 emails per day
It offers a glimpse into the inundated state of our digital inboxes.
The figure suggests that for many people, managing email correspondence is a significant daily task, involving sorting through a mix of personal messages, professional correspondence, promotional material, and possibly spam.
It underscores the importance of email as a communication tool and also highlights the challenge of maintaining efficiency and organization in the face of such a high volume of digital traffic.(Radicati)
There are approximately 4.26 to 4.37 billion email users worldwide in 2023
A long-running study monitoring email usage since 1993 indicates that the count of email users is expected to reach 4.37 billion globally in 2023.
This marks a 2.7% rise from the previous year, signifying that over half of the world’s population is now using email.
A significant number of internet users frequently sign up for websites and newsletters using their email addresses, often preparing for the inevitable surge of unwanted spam and promotional messages that follow.(Statista)
Regarding the number of email accounts an individual has, the average is reported to be between 1.75 and 1.9 email accounts per user.
It’s quite typical for individuals to manage several email accounts tailored to distinct aspects of their lives.
Industry analysts have calculated that, on average, users had around 1.75 -1.9 email accounts in 2022.
A forecast suggests that by the close of 2023, the number of email accounts per Gmail user is anticipated to increase from 1.8 to 1.9.
The user-friendly nature of Gmail, alongside its straightforward account setup process, contributes to its popularity over other email services. (Oberlo, Radicati, Atonce)
Emails are dispatched and arrive almost immediately, within a few seconds
Given the rapid pace of technology and the swift connections provided by the internet, emails typically arrive almost instantaneously.
It’s a regular occurrence for an email to land in the recipient’s inbox just seconds after being sent.
However, there can be exceptions where emails take minutes or even hours to deliver due to issues like spam filtering, server problems, or other technical delays. (Askleo)
The first network email was sent by Ray Tomlinson in 1971.
This seminal event in the history of digital communication involved sending a message from one computer to another through ARPANET, which was the precursor to the internet.(Wikipedia)
In 2023, a staggering 85% of emails were reported to be spam
The high percentage of spam emails poses a considerable challenge for both businesses and individuals, affecting productivity due to the time spent filtering out irrelevant messages.
Statista provides a slightly different perspective which is suggesting that in 2022, around 49% of emails were categorized as spam.
These statistics might vary due to different methodologies or definitions of what constitutes spam.(Mailbutler, Statista)
Average time to read and respond to an Email is around 12 hours and 19 minutes
The average time to respond to an email was around 12 hours and 19 minutes.
During work hours, this average response time was significantly less, at approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes.(Mailbutler)
Email marketing typically costs around $9 – $25 for a basic package and up to $12000 for a huge business
The monthly investment for standard email marketing software ranges between $9 and $25.
The cost of email marketing can vary widely based on the size of the business and the chosen agency.
On average, a business might spend between $300 to $500 per month for an email marketing agency’s services.
For larger businesses, this could rise to between $2,000 and $12,000 per month.
Additionally, some agencies may charge per email sent, often a few cents per email, or a flat rate based on the number of contacts.(Tech.co)
The average cost per email subscriber can range from $0 to $99 monthly for a list of 5,000 email contacts
For small and medium businesses managing their email campaigns, the costs can range from $0 to $99 monthly for a list of 5,000 email contacts.
As the subscriber list grows, the costs increase; for example, a list exceeding 50,000 subscribers could cost around $270 per month.
If opting for full-service email marketing agencies, the costs could average around $2,500 per month. (Emailvendorselection)
The average emails sent per day at work by an office employee is around 40 per day
Data indicates that a typical office employee sends out around 40 emails daily. And if that seems high, it’s even more surprising that the average individual receives about 121 emails related to business every single day. (ProsperityMedia)
Study shows that Ideal Length for Marketing Emails is between 50-125 words
Research points to an optimal email length of 50 to 125 words to achieve a response rate over 50%.
Another study indicates that emails containing roughly 20 lines, or around 200 words, see the highest engagement in terms of click-throughs.
As a general rule, it’s best to aim for brevity in emails, keeping them under 200 words.(Boomerang)
There are over 7.9 billion email accounts
The current estimate for the number of email accounts worldwide stands at approximately 7.9 billion.
This figure is constantly in flux, but with available data on the number of email users and the average number of accounts each person has, we arrive at this number.(99firms)
46% to 63% percentage of emails opened on mobile
In 2023, it is estimated that between 46% to 63% of emails will be opened on a mobile device. With the growing trend of mobile usage, optimizing emails for mobile viewing is becoming increasingly important. (Hubspot)
Best time to send emails are between 9AM to 12PM or 12PM to 3PM, especially on Tuesdays
Surveys of marketing professionals suggest the highest engagement rates for emails are between 9 AM to 12 PM and 12 PM to 3 PM, especially on Tuesdays. This timing aligns with the start of the average workday and lunch breaks, when people are more likely to check their emails. (Hubspot)
Average ROI for email marketing is $36 for every $1 spent
For every dollar spent on email marketing, the average return on investment (ROI) is $36. In other words, investing a single dollar can yield a return 36 times that amount.
Further insights reveal that targeted and list-segmented email campaigns contribute to 36% of the overall email marketing ROI. (Hubspot)
An average person send around 120 emails per day
According to mobile email statistics, users are currently sending and receiving an average of 126 emails daily. This equates to an annual influx of about 45,990 emails per user, breaking down to an average of 5.25 emails every hour, or roughly one email every 12 minutes. (Radicati)
Gmail has around 1.8 billion users as of 2023
Gmail, the most widely used email platform, has over 1.8 billion users as of 2023. This massive user base makes Gmail a critical channel for email marketing and personal communications globally
Gmail achieved a significant milestone as the fourth application to surpass the 10 billion installation mark, specifically among Android users downloading the app from the Google Play Store.(Earthweb)
The average email conversion rate is around 21.8%
MailChimp reports that, on average, about 21.8% of emails across various industries are opened.
While a 2% to 5% email conversion rate is often regarded as solid performance, the benchmark can vary significantly depending on the specific industry.
Interestingly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what constitutes an exact good rate.(Mailchimp)
49% of emails sent worldwide are spam
Statista’s findings indicate that almost 50% of all emails sent globally are categorized as spam, with the bulk originating from the United States, China, and Russia.
Although spam continues to account for a large portion of email traffic, there has been a notable decline in its share since 2011.
In 2022, the peak of spam email traffic was recorded in February, when spam emails comprised about 53% of all email correspondence worldwide.(Statista)
Majority of email users, which accounts for 99%, check their inbox every day
The majority of email users, which accounts for 99%, check their inbox every day, with a significant portion, 58%, making it their first task in the morning.
A detailed survey reveals a range of checking frequencies: 39% check their email 3-5 times a day, 27% do so 10-20 times a day, and a striking 22% check more than 20 times a day.(Mailbutler, Marketingprofs)
You have low email CTR because you are targeting the wrong audience
A low number of clicks on your emails could mean two things: maybe you’re sending them to people who aren’t interested in what you’re offering, or the way you’re writing doesn’t grab their attention enough to make them want to click.
If you want more people to click on your emails, you might need to make sure you’re reaching the right folks and that your message is exciting and easy for them to understand. (Hotjar)
Midweeks are best day to send an email newsletter
Many email marketers consider Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as optimal days for sending out campaigns.
During midweek, subscribers are typically well-engaged with their work routine and are more likely to regularly check and interact with their email, potentially leading to higher open and click-through rates for your messages. (Mailerlite)
On average an email marketer earns around $50000 per year
Glassdoor’s data suggests that an email marketing specialist typically earns around $50,000 annually.
This salary can fluctuate depending on factors such as the specialist’s experience and geographic location, with some earning as little as $40,000 and others making up to $100,000 or more, especially in certain areas. (Glassdoor)
The average open rate for email marketing in 2023 is around 21.33%
The average open rate for email marketing in 2023 varies by industry, with an overall average open rate of around 21.33%.
Industries like government and healthcare see higher open rates, around 46.3%, while others may experience lower rates. A rate between 17-28% is generally considered good. (Smartinisghts, InfluencerMarketingHub, AudiencePoint)
Wrapping up
Email remains an indispensable thread in the fabric of digital communication, binding us across various spheres of life.
Despite the influx of alternative communication tools, the enduring relevance of email is reflected in the sheer volume of daily usage and the considerable number of users worldwide.
It stands not just as a testament to the present but as a continuing beacon for future connectivity and interaction, both personally and professionally.