and the distribution of digital products.
YouTube says creator economy added $55B to U.S. GDP in 2024
YouTube’s creative ecosystem contributed over $55 billion to the U.S. GDP and supported more than 490,000 full-time jobs in 2024, according to a report released on Tuesday by YouTube, based on research conducted by Oxford Economics.
The YouTube creative ecosystem encompasses not only creators but also individuals working with YouTube creators, such as video editors, assistants, and publicists. It extends to those employed by creator-oriented companies like Patreon, Spotter, and Linktree.
In 2022, a prior report from YouTube and Oxford Economics indicated that the platform’s creative ecosystem supported approximately 390,000 jobs and contributed over $35 billion to the U.S. GDP. These figures indicate an increase of 100,000 jobs and $20 billion between 2022 and 2024.
YouTube’s Partner Program allows qualifying creators to earn 55% of the revenue generated from advertisements. This model provides consistent and potentially lucrative opportunities; even mid-range creators can earn several thousand dollars monthly.
Creators have advocated for American institutions, including banks and the government, to better accommodate their industry’s needs, such as qualifying for business credit cards or securing business loans. These issues have gained visibility, prompting the formation of the bipartisan Congressional Creators Caucus by U.S. Representatives Yvette Clark (D-NY) and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) to support the creator economy.