In a new report, YouTube has proven that the creator economy is more influential than ever. Per Oxford Economics, everything involving creators on its platform has contributed $55 billion to the US GDP and has supported more than 490,000 full-time jobs.
According to TechCrunch, the “creative ecosystem” doesn’t just mean creators. It also encompasses creator-adjacent roles like publicists, assistants, and video editors, along with those who work for creator-related companies like Patreon.
Comparatively, back in 2022, YouTube and Oxford Economics reported that the creative ecosystem generated 390,000 jobs and contributed over $35 billion to the US GDP. Then, in 2024, these figures increased by 100,000 for jobs, and by $20 billion in terms of GDP contributions.
The ‘YouTube’s Impact’ report also revealed that creators earn more than half (55%) of total ad and subscription revenue. 79% of small business owners also agreed that YouTube is essential to their business growth.
“It’s truly inspiring to see the impact of the YouTube creator community,” Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, said in a statement. “Creators are building businesses, creating jobs, and fostering community by sharing their passions and talents with the world.”
This isn’t the only way YouTube is making an impact. As previously reported by Passionfruit, two-thirds of viewers consider YouTube to be the “realistic destination” of TV shows and movies. For the video giant, things are definitely heading in the right direction. Despite being 20 years old, YouTube feels more relevant than ever.
