Drones, or UAVs, have become increasingly popular over the past few years, with applications ranging from military use to delivery services and even aerial photography. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at UAV statistics that highlight the growth and impact of this rapidly evolving technology.
Key UAV Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- The global market for UAVs is expected to grow from $10.41 billion in 2015 to $22.15 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 15.9% from 2015 to 2020..
- The commercial drone industry is expected to generate $11.2 billion in economic impact in the US alone.
- In the US, the agriculture industry is the largest adopter of UAVs, using them for crop monitoring, irrigation management, and precision agriculture.
- In 2019, over 1 million UAVs were sold worldwide.
- The military is the largest segment of the UAV market, accounting for over 60% of the global UAV market in 2019.
- The UAV market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 11% from 2020 to 2025.
- The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing market for UAVs, with China being the largest market in the region.
- The UAV market is dominated by a few major players, including DJI, Parrot, and Yuneec.
- The UAV market is expected to be driven by advancements in technology and increased adoption in various industries, including agriculture, construction, and delivery services.
- In 2019, the use of UAVs for delivery services, such as food and package delivery, was limited, but is expected to grow in the coming years.
- The increasing use of UAVs in the energy sector, for inspections and surveys, is expected to drive the growth of the UAV market in the future.
UAV Stats
UAV Usage Statistics:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Survey Participants | 1,050 |
| Drone Usage in US (percentage) | Small |
UAV Market Statistics:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| American Market Share (percentage) | 80% |
| Global Market Share (percentage) | 60% |
| Market Size (by 2026) | Almost $100 million |
| Market in Construction and Mining | $28.3 billion (Global) |
| Most Common Waiver Type | Nighttime Operation |
| Approved Airspace Authorizations (percentage) | 50% (for controlled airspace) |
| Market Share (DJI in US) | 80% |
UAV Latest Statistics:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Flights in 2021 | 25.7 million |
| Flights in 2020 | 22.2 million |
| 5 Year Average Flights | 36.6 million |
| Fatalities in Worst Aviation Accident | 583 out of 644 passengers |
| Commercial Airlines (based on aircraft size) | 10 or more seats; fewer than 10 seats |
| Passengers on Commercial Airlines (FY 2020) | 463 million |
| Decrease in Demand (from 2019) | 43% (due to COVID) |
| Expected Passengers in 2021 | 439 million (down 5% from 2020) |
| Registered Recreational Drones (December 2021) | 526,100 units |
| Global R&D Budget for Drones | Nearly $4 billion by 2020 |
| Global Military Drone Production Volume (2013) | Estimated |
| Drone Industry Growth (CAGR) | 15.37% between 2021 and 2026 |
| Americans who have flown a drone | 15% |
| Americans who own a drone | 8% |
| Delivery by Drone (agreement from internet buyers) | 79% |
| US Army Responsibility for Drone Crashes | 70% |
| Men vs. Women (drone usage) | 24% (men), 10% (women) |
| Ownership by Gender | 9% (men), 7% (women) |
| Age Bracket of Drone Owners | Middle-aged (10%) |
| Recreational Drone Statistics | 57.16% of total registered UAS |
| Commercial Drone Statistics | 42.84% of total registered UAS |
| Cost Reduction for Surveying Companies | 98% |
| Package Delivery by Drone | 8 out of 10 people agree |
| Faster Delivery with Drone | 57% think so |
| Construction Sites with Drones | Almost 25% |
| Most Affordable Drone | Worth $15 million |
| Drone Crashes (Worldwide) | US Army responsible for 70% |
| Drones Sold in 2018 | 274.6 thousand units |
| Predicted Drones Sold (2018) | 2.7 million |
| Global Shipments (predicted by Insider Intelligence) | 2.4 million in 2023 (66.8% CAGR) |
| Sales of Consumer Drones (2020) | $1.25 billion |
| Registered Drones in US (August 2021) | 869,428 |
- In 2020, the global drone market was valued at $10.5 billion and is expected to reach $43.5 billion by 2026.
- The military segment accounted for the largest share of the drone market in 2020, at 39.7%.
- Commercial drone applications are expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.5% from 2021 to 2028.
- In 2020, the agriculture sector was the largest adopter of commercial drones, accounting for 38% of the market share.
- The construction industry is expected to adopt drones at a CAGR of 26.8% from 2021 to 2028.
- In 2020, North America was the largest market for drones, accounting for 35.2% of the global market share.
- By 2023, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to surpass North America as the largest drone market.
- The consumer drone market is expected to reach $7.6 billion by 2025.
- In 2020, DJI dominated the consumer drone market with a 74.9% market share.
- The global drone services market was valued at $2.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $16.9 billion by 2026.
UAV Facts
- Drones can fly at speeds of up to 120 mph and reach altitudes of up to 16,000 feet.
- Drones can carry payloads ranging from cameras to medical supplies and even weapons.
- Drones are equipped with GPS systems and can be programmed to fly autonomous missions.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued over 1.7 million drone pilot certificates as of 2020.
- The FAA’s “drone registry” contains over 2.9 million drones as of 2020.
- In 2018, the FAA recorded over 600,000 drone sightings by pilots, air traffic controllers, and citizens.
- In 2019, the FAA reported over 14,000 drone incidents, including close calls with commercial aircraft.
- In 2020, the FAA introduced new regulations that require all drones to be equipped with Remote ID technology.
- The military uses drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and even targeted killings.
- In 2021, the FAA approved the first commercial drone delivery service, Wing Aviation, to operate in the United States.
UAV Benefits
- Drones can improve safety by reducing the need for human workers to perform dangerous tasks.
- Drones can increase efficiency by performing tasks faster and more accurately than humans.
- Drones can reduce costs by automating tasks that would otherwise require manual labor.
- Drones can provide access to remote or difficult-to-reach locations.
- Drones equipped with cameras and sensors can collect data for a variety of industries, including agriculture, construction, and inspection.
- Drones can be used for search and rescue missions, helping to locate missing persons and disaster victims.
- Drones equipped with medical supplies can deliver life-saving medications and equipment to remote locations.
- Drones can be used for aerial photography and videography, providing a unique perspective for filmmakers and photographers.
- Drones can be used for delivery services, reducing the need for ground transportation and improving delivery speed.
Cost Savings
One of the biggest benefits of using UAVs is cost savings. Traditional methods of collecting aerial data, such as manned aircraft or satellite imaging, can be expensive and time-consuming. With UAVs, data can be collected quickly and inexpensively. In addition, UAVs can be programmed to fly specific routes, allowing for efficient and cost-effective data collection.
Improved Efficiency
UAVs can improve efficiency in a number of ways. For example, they can be used to inspect large structures, such as bridges and buildings, much more quickly and easily than traditional inspection methods. UAVs can also be used to collect data in remote or hard-to-reach areas, which can be challenging for ground-based inspections.
Increased Safety
Another benefit of UAVs is increased safety. UAVs can be used to inspect structures that are potentially hazardous, such as power lines or chemical plants, without putting human inspectors in danger. Additionally, UAVs can be used in dangerous search and rescue operations, providing a safer alternative to traditional search methods.
Demographic Trends
The use of UAVs is becoming increasingly popular across a wide range of industries and demographics. In the agricultural industry, UAVs are being used to improve crop yields, collect data, and monitor crop health. In the construction industry, UAVs are being used to inspect large structures, survey sites, and track construction progress. The military and law enforcement agencies are also using UAVs for surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
UAV Market Analysis
The global UAV market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets, the global UAV market is projected to reach $10.23 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6% from 2020 to 2025. This growth is largely driven by the increasing demand for UAVs in industries such as agriculture, construction, and military and law enforcement.
UAV Software
There are a variety of software options available for UAVs, including flight planning software, data analysis software, and navigation software. Flight planning software allows users to plan and execute UAV missions, while data analysis software provides the ability to process and analyze UAV data. Navigation software provides real-time navigation and guidance for UAVs, improving accuracy and efficiency.
Challenges and Opportunities in UAVs
While UAVs offer many benefits, there are also a number of challenges and opportunities associated with their use. For example, privacy concerns and regulations surrounding the use of UAVs are a major challenge. In addition, there is a need for increased investment in UAV technology and infrastructure to support the growth of this market. On the other hand, there are also significant opportunities in the UAV market, including the development of new applications, improved technology, and increased investment.
