WordPress Statistics – What You Need to Know in 2024

WordPress has evolved from a simple blogging tool into the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), powering over 34% of all websites on the internet. With its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and robust community, it’s no wonder that WordPress remains the go-to platform for individuals, businesses, and developers alike.

In this article, we’ll dive into the latest WordPress statistics for 2024, exploring its growth, market share, themes, plugins, security, and much more. Whether you’re a WordPress user or just curious about the platform’s impact, these insights will give you a clearer understanding of why WordPress continues to dominate the web-building world.

Fascinating WordPress Facts 2024

1. Powering the Web: WordPress now powers over 43% of all websites globally, maintaining its lead as the most popular CMS.
2. Massive Market Share: WordPress dominates the CMS market with a 63.5% market share, far ahead of its competitors.
3. A Global Phenomenon: Over 500 new WordPress websites go live every day, spanning industries and countries.
4. Plugins Galore: With 60,000+ free plugins available, users can customize WordPress to meet virtually any need.
5. Theme Variety: WordPress offers over 10,000 themes, catering to bloggers, e-commerce stores, and business websites.
6. Languages and Localization: WordPress is translated into 70+ languages, making it a truly global platform.
7. Security Under Fire: WordPress remains a frequent target of cyberattacks, accounting for 90% of CMS-related hacking attempts—emphasizing the need for robust security practices.
8. Economic Impact: An estimated 25% of WordPress users earn a living from WP-related projects, driving a thriving ecosystem of developers, designers, and businesses.
9. Mobile Growth: The WordPress app records over 10 million downloads annually, supporting creators on the go.
10. Traffic Insights: Top WordPress-powered sites receive billions of monthly visits, with WP sites hosting 20% of the world’s top-performing websites.

These stats show that WordPress isn’t just a CMS—it’s an ever-expanding ecosystem shaping the internet in 2024 and beyond.

WordPress Market Share Statistics

As of 2024, WordPress continues to dominate the content management system (CMS) landscape, powering a significant portion of the internet’s websites. Here’s an updated overview of WordPress’s market share and usage statistics:

1. Global Adoption:

WordPress powers approximately 43.7% of all websites globally, reflecting its widespread adoption across various industries and regions.
(Source: W3Techs)

2. CMS Market Share:

2. WordPress holds a commanding 62.2% market share among websites utilising a known CMS, underscoring its dominance in the CMS market.
   (Source: W3Techs)

3. Comparison with Competitors:

• WordPress’s closest competitors include Joomla and Drupal, which have significantly smaller market shares. Joomla holds around 2.5%, and Drupal approximately 1.6% of the CMS market.
  (Source: W3Techs)

4. Top Websites Usage:

• Nearly 32% of the top 1 million websites are powered by WordPress, highlighting its reliability and scalability for high-traffic sites.
  (Source: W3Techs)

5. Total Number of WordPress Sites:

• The total number of WordPress sites worldwide exceeds 810 million, indicating substantial growth and popularity.
  (Source: Search Logistics)

6. Geographical Distribution:

• The United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia are among the top countries with the most WordPress users, reflecting its global reach.
  (Source: W3Techs)

7. Automattic’s Remote Workforce:

• Automattic, the parent company of WordPress, operates with a fully distributed workforce and has no central office, emphasising the company’s commitment to remote work.
  (Source: W3Techs)

These statistics illustrate WordPress’s unparalleled position in the CMS industry, with a vast user base and a significant share of the world’s top websites relying on its platform.

WordPress Growth Statistics

WordPress’s journey from a simple blogging platform in 2003 to the leading CMS has been nothing short of remarkable. As of 2024, the platform’s growth continues to set benchmarks in the digital ecosystem. Here’s the latest data on WordPress’s evolution:

8. Market Share Expansion

• WordPress’s CMS market share has grown from 13.1% in 2010 to a staggering 43.7% in 2024, solidifying its position as the go-to platform for website creation.
• The CMS added nearly 3.5% to its market share in just the past two years, outpacing competitors like Shopify and Joomla.
  (Source: W3Techs)

9. Live Website Growth

• WordPress powers over 810 million websites worldwide, up from 24.8 million in 2019, marking exponential growth.
• On average, 1,020 new WordPress websites go live daily, showcasing the platform’s continued appeal to businesses and creators.
  (Source: Search Logistics)

10. WooCommerce’s Role in Growth

• WooCommerce, WordPress’s e-commerce plugin, spawns over 450 new stores daily, making it the second-fastest-growing platform within the ecosystem.
• WooCommerce now powers over 28% of all online stores, contributing significantly to WordPress’s market dominance.
  (Source: BuiltWith)

11. Content Creation and Interaction

• WordPress sites see an average of 80 million new blog posts and 83 million monthly comments, showcasing its engagement potential.
• Over 70% of posts published on WordPress sites are optimized for search engines, helping creators reach broader audiences.
  (Source: WordPress.com)

12. Updates and Enhancements

• WordPress releases a new core update approximately every 140 days, ensuring the platform stays secure and feature-rich.
• Recent updates in 2024 include enhanced support for AI-driven content creation and improved site performance analytics.
  (Source: WordPress.org)

13. The Secret to Sustained Growth

WordPress’s robust ecosystem of over 60,000 plugins and 10,000 themes plays a crucial role in its sustained growth. These tools empower users to build tailored solutions for personal blogs, small businesses, and enterprise-level websites.

WordPress Theme Statistics

WordPress themes remain a cornerstone of the platform’s versatility, enabling users to craft visually appealing and functional websites. As of 2024, WordPress’s theme ecosystem continues to grow, offering solutions for businesses, bloggers, and e-commerce sites alike. Here’s the latest data:

14. Free Themes in the Repository

• The official WordPress repository now hosts over 6,500 free themes, up from 5,800 in 2019.
• Popular third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest offer an additional 13,000 premium themes, while TemplateMonster boasts over 50,000 themes tailored to various industries.
  (Source: WPBeginner)

15. The Most Popular Themes

• Divi, Avada, and Astra continue to dominate the market, collectively powering over 20% of WordPress websites globally.
• Avada, the best-selling premium theme, has now been purchased over 600,000 times, with a license price of $69.
  (Source: ThemeForest)

16. Thematic History and Development

• The first official WordPress theme, Kubrick, was introduced in 2005 with the release of WordPress 1.5. Since then, themes have evolved to incorporate responsive design, SEO optimization, and drag-and-drop editing.

Top Free Themes in 2024

• The top six free themes developed by Automattic, WordPress’s parent company, include:
  • Twenty Twenty-Three
  • Twenty Twenty-Two
  • Twenty Twenty-One
  • Hestia
  • OceanWP
  • GeneratePress

17. Premium Themes and Pricing Trends

• The average cost of a premium WordPress theme has risen to $50-$60, reflecting increased functionality and enhanced design quality.
• Premium templates now include features like integrated AI tools, e-commerce capabilities, and cross-platform compatibility.
  (Source: Elegant Themes)

18. User Engagement with Themes

• WordPress users collectively switch between themes over 2.5 million times per month, a testament to the platform’s focus on customization and experimentation.
  (Source: WordPress.org)

The Power of Design in Website Success

Themes are more than aesthetics—they shape the user experience. Studies show that visually appealing designs can improve visitor retention rates by up to 38%, making themes a critical investment for website success.

WordPress Plugin Statistics

WordPress plugins remain the backbone of the platform’s flexibility, enabling users to extend their website’s functionality without technical expertise. Here’s the latest on WordPress plugins in 2024:

19. Plugin Repository and Growth

• The official WordPress directory now hosts over 60,000 plugins, a significant increase from 55,192 in 2019. These plugins cater to everything from SEO optimization and security enhancements to e-commerce and multimedia integration.
  (Source: WordPress.org)

Most Popular Free Plugins

The top 10 plugins by installation include:

1. Contact Form 7 – Simplifies form creation.
2. Yoast SEO – Enhances search engine rankings.
3. Akismet Anti-Spam – Blocks spam comments.
4. Classic Editor – A preferred alternative to Gutenberg, with over 5 million active installations.
5. Jetpack – A suite of performance, security, and marketing tools.
6. WooCommerce – Powers over 44% of global online stores in 2024.
7. WordFence – Provides top-notch WordPress security.
8. Elementor – Revolutionizes website building with drag-and-drop functionality.
9. Really Simple SSL – Simplifies HTTPS integration.
10. WP Super Cache – Speeds up website loading.

20. Premium Plugin Insights

• Visual Composer remains the best-selling premium plugin, averaging 2,500 sales per day.
• Slider Revolution and WPBakery Page Builder follow, boasting over 400,000 active installations each.
• The average cost of premium plugins ranges between $30-$80, depending on the features and license type.

21. WooCommerce’s Continued Dominance

• WooCommerce powers over 5 million active websites, solidifying its position as the top e-commerce plugin.
• It contributes significantly to WordPress’s growth, with an estimated 1,800 WooCommerce stores launched daily in 2024.
  (Source: Statista)

22. Unique Plugin Facts

• Hello Dolly, a plugin with no functional value, still ships pre-installed and boasts over 800,000 active installations.
• Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and Rank Math have grown rapidly, becoming go-to tools for developers and marketers.

23. Security and Plugin Updates

• Regular updates have become a priority. Over 85% of active plugins received security or feature updates in the last year.
• New plugins continue to emerge, with an average of 70 new plugins added to the directory each month in 2024.

Open-Source Advantage and Challenges

The WordPress ecosystem thrives on its open-source model, empowering developers worldwide to create plugins tailored to unique needs. However, this openness also introduces vulnerabilities, with over 50% of WordPress security breaches traced back to outdated or poorly coded plugins.

WordPress Security Statistics

WordPress remains a leader in the CMS market but also faces significant security challenges due to its widespread usage. Here’s an updated look at WordPress security in 2024:

24. WordPress Security Overview

• According to recent data, WordPress is targeted in 43% of all CMS-related hacking attempts, a decline from the 90% reported in earlier years, indicating improved security measures across the platform.
  (Source: Sucuri)

25. Major Security Vulnerabilities

• Plugins remain the most common entry point for hackers, responsible for 49% of security breaches.
• Core vulnerabilities account for 35% of attacks, while themes are implicated in 16% of incidents.
• Popular plugins with known vulnerabilities include:
  • WooCommerce (14 identified vulnerabilities).
  • NextGen Gallery (12 vulnerabilities).
  • WP Statistics (11 vulnerabilities).

26. Common Attack Types

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks lead the list, comprising 38% of all WordPress vulnerabilities.
• SQL Injection Attacks follow, accounting for 19% of security threats.
• Credential Stuffing and Brute Force Attacks remain significant, exploiting weak or reused passwords in 12% of cases.

27. Key Security Incidents

• In 2023, a major data breach linked to an outdated plugin impacted over 2.4 million users’ data.
• Hacked WordPress installations were used in 31% of phishing campaigns targeting e-commerce websites.
• Despite this, WordPress security plugins like Wordfence and Sucuri have mitigated 98% of known attack patterns in 2024.

Strengthening WordPress Security

WordPress has taken proactive measures to improve security, including:

1. Automated Core Updates: Mandatory updates for critical vulnerabilities introduced in WordPress 6.4.
2. Security Scans: Over 80% of managed WordPress hosting providers now offer built-in malware detection and removal tools.
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adopted by over 65% of WordPress users for admin access in 2024.

Tips to Secure Your WordPress Site

• Regularly update the core, plugins, and themes to their latest versions.
• Use reputable hosting providers offering advanced firewalls and DDoS protection.
• Install security plugins such as Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri Security.
• Enforce strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for all accounts.

The Open-Source Challenge

While WordPress’s open-source nature fosters innovation, it also opens doors for vulnerabilities if users and developers neglect best practices.

WordPress Community Statistics

The WordPress community remains a powerhouse, fostering collaboration and innovation worldwide. Here’s a look at the latest statistics and trends for this dynamic group:

28. WordPress Community Overview

• As of 2024, the WordPress community boasts over 740,000 active members and 1,500+ meetup groups across the globe.
  (Source: WordPress.org)

29. WordCamp Events

• Since its inception in San Francisco in 2006, WordCamp events have grown exponentially:
  • 1,300+ WordCamps have been held in 76 countries across six continents.
  • WordCamp Europe 2023 hosted a record 2,450 attendees from 85 countries, making it the largest WordPress event ever.
• WordPress.tv continues to broadcast all major events and meetups, extending accessibility to the global audience.

30. Notable Community Events

• WPCampus: Focuses on WordPress in higher education and drew over 1,000 attendees in its 2023 virtual edition.
• WooConf: Highlights advancements in eCommerce and WooCommerce, gathering 3,000+ participants annually.
• PressNomics: Focuses on the business of WordPress, attracting 2,500+ entrepreneurs and developers in its 2024 event.

31. Translation and Localization

• WordPress continues to expand its global reach with translation support in over 65 languages.
• Community contributors added 3 new languages to WordPress in 2023, reflecting the platform’s commitment to inclusivity.

32. Community Contributions

• Volunteers power the WordPress ecosystem:
  • Over 1,200 contributors participated in WordPress 6.4 development.
  • 85% of WordCamp organizers and speakers in 2024 are volunteers.

33. Diversity and Inclusion

• The WordPress community emphasizes diversity with initiatives like the Diversity Speaker Training program, which trained 600+ speakers from underrepresented groups in 2023.
• Women make up 41% of WordCamp speakers as of 2024, up from 34% in 2020.

Why the WordPress Community Matters

The WordPress community offers unparalleled support, networking, and opportunities to collaborate with passionate individuals worldwide. Whether through forums, meetups, or WordCamps, members continuously push the boundaries of what WordPress can achieve.

WordPress Economy Statistics (2024)

The WordPress ecosystem continues to fuel a robust economy, empowering developers, freelancers, and businesses worldwide. From theme developers to plugin creators and freelancers, the economic impact of WordPress is undeniable.

34. WordPress Job Market and Salaries

• WordPress powers a thriving job market:
  • 25% of WordPress users rely on the platform entirely for their income.
  • The average annual salary for WordPress-related roles is now $73,250, up from $71,078 in 2019.
  • Entry-level developers earn around $46,000 annually, while experienced developers command salaries exceeding $90,000.
    (Source: WeDevs)
• Freelancer Rates:
  • Freelancers charge between $1,500 and $18,000 for WordPress projects, depending on complexity and customization needs.

35. Marketplace Earnings

WordPress theme developers report significant income:

• 55% of developers on marketplaces like Envato earn over $1,200/month from theme sales.
• Nearly 6% of them generate over $12,000/month.
• The most successful plugin and theme creators exceed $300,000 annually in earnings.

36. Popular Revenue Streams:

• WooCommerce-powered stores contribute substantially, with sellers generating $25 billion annually across the globe.
• Freelancers offering site-building and maintenance services see increasing demand as businesses migrate to WordPress.

37. Key Job Locations

• Major hubs for WordPress-related jobs:
  • New York, NY: 520+ job openings in 2024.
  • Los Angeles, CA: 270+ positions available.
  • Austin, TX: Continues to grow with 190 open roles.
• Remote work opportunities for WordPress professionals have surged by 30% since 2022, with roles ranging from developers to content creators.

38. The Bigger Picture

• The WordPress economy is estimated to contribute over $7.5 billion annually, encompassing themes, plugins, hosting services, and custom development.
• Freelancers, agencies, and marketplace sellers attribute 60% of their revenue to WordPress projects.

Why WordPress is an Economic Giant

WordPress is more than a CMS—it’s a global economic powerhouse. Developers, entrepreneurs, and creatives alike have leveraged its versatility to build thriving careers and businesses.

With ongoing growth in the ecosystem, WordPress continues to create opportunities for individuals and companies worldwide, proving that open-source software can drive innovation and prosperity.

Conclusion

The statistics make it clear— WordPress is the undisputed leader in the CMS market, and for good reason. With over 34% of all websites powered by WordPress and a commanding 61.1% share of the CMS market, it’s a platform that shows no signs of slowing down.

We’ve addressed key questions like:

• How long has WordPress been around?
• What is WordPress’ market share?
• How many websites rely on WordPress?

Millions of users have chosen WordPress for their websites, from blogs to e-commerce stores and everything in between.

WordPress has created a vast ecosystem with an active community, a thriving marketplace of plugins and themes, and constant innovation. If WordPress were a country, it would be a busy hub of creativity and commerce.

However, with great popularity comes security risks. WordPress users must remain vigilant to protect their sites from vulnerabilities.

Until the “WordPress Batman” arrives, it’s up to the community to work together to make the platform even stronger, safer, and more prosperous.