Global media ad spending to surpass $1 trillion in 2025 – report

The global advertising landscape is on the brink of a historic milestone, as total media ad spending is set to exceed $1 trillion this year. This remarkable achievement places advertising alongside only a handful of industries that have reached such financial heights, including oil and gas, insurance, and commercial real estate. The market’s rapid expansion has been fueled by robust growth over the past decade, despite occasional economic turbulence.

According to eMarketer, global ad spending has almost doubled since 2016, with the industry maintaining strong momentum. Back in 2011, worldwide spending was just $384.46 billion, and projections at the time likely did not foresee such a swift ascent to trillion-dollar status. In 2025 alone, nearly $85 billion in new ad investments are expected—a figure that previously would have taken years to materialize.

While the United States and China are expected to account for nearly 59% of total ad spending, regions outside these dominant markets will collectively handle a substantial share. Europe will play a major role, with the UK alone generating $53.43 billion in advertising revenue, while other European countries are projected to contribute an additional $140 billion.

Emerging markets are also demonstrating impressive growth. India, for instance, will reach over $14 billion in ad spending this year, on track to approach $20 billion by 2028. This global diversification underscores the expanding opportunities in advertising as both mature and developing markets experience surging demand for media investments.

Despite its impressive achievements, the advertising industry still has room for growth. Experts predict that while breaching the $2 trillion threshold is unlikely before the late 2030s, the trillion-dollar benchmark cements advertising’s position as one of the commercial giants in modern history.