Online education in Russia - statistics & facts
The Russian e-learning market is actively developing for both child and adult audiences. The sector experienced significant growth in 2024, with the major 100 e-learning companies collectively generating over 39 billion Russian rubles in revenue during the third quarter, marking a 21-percent increase from the previous three-month period and a 24-percent rise compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
The country is seeing an increase in online services usage, and the implementation of distance education during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic positively impacted the industry. In 2022, the market growth was hindered by the exodus of several international providers in response to the invasion of Ukraine, as well as a decline in the population's disposable income for supplementary education. One of the major market players, the U.S. company Coursera, suspended its operations in the Russian market in March 2022.
In terms of revenue, supplementary professional education stands out as the largest edtech segment, generating nearly 14 billion Russian rubles from July to September 2024. Children's education, which follows closely, is experiencing the fastest growth, with a 37-percent increase in revenue compared to the previous year's corresponding quarter.
Russia's online education sector is growing, with the revenue of the leading 100 e-learning companies reaching their peak value in the third quarter of 2024. The diversity of the sector is evident, with platforms catering to various needs, from language learning to professional development and children's education. With most segments recording positive growth rates, it is evident that online learning is becoming part of Russia's educational future.
The country is seeing an increase in online services usage, and the implementation of distance education during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic positively impacted the industry. In 2022, the market growth was hindered by the exodus of several international providers in response to the invasion of Ukraine, as well as a decline in the population's disposable income for supplementary education. One of the major market players, the U.S. company Coursera, suspended its operations in the Russian market in March 2022.
Key segments of online education in Russia
For children, online programs in Russia start from the preschool level. The courses offer assistance in school preparation as well as complementary education. In fact, Uchi.ru, a platform for preschool children, emerged as the most-visited education website in the country, boasting over 52 million monthly visits as of October 2024. For adults, the most prominent categories are corporate, professional, and language training. Furthermore, online schools teach digital professions, such as in IT, online marketing, and web design. In recent years, Russia saw an increase in the popularity of courses provided by bloggers, such as scheduled courses, master classes, marathons, and webinars.In terms of revenue, supplementary professional education stands out as the largest edtech segment, generating nearly 14 billion Russian rubles from July to September 2024. Children's education, which follows closely, is experiencing the fastest growth, with a 37-percent increase in revenue compared to the previous year's corresponding quarter.
Major edtech companies
Courses of the private Synergy University generated the highest revenue in the Russian online education market in the third quarter of 2024. Skillbox Holding Limited, which operates platforms Skillbox, GeekBrains, and SkillFactory, followed. Another market leader, Skyeng, started as a platform for online language courses, but later expanded into services for children under the brand Skysmart. GeekBrains, Skillbox, and Yandex.Praktikum were among the leading providers of programs developing digital skills.Russia's online education sector is growing, with the revenue of the leading 100 e-learning companies reaching their peak value in the third quarter of 2024. The diversity of the sector is evident, with platforms catering to various needs, from language learning to professional development and children's education. With most segments recording positive growth rates, it is evident that online learning is becoming part of Russia's educational future.
