25+ Meditation Statistics to Help You Develop Mindfulness in 2024
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Living in a stress-packed world requires a conscious effort to take a moment for ourselves and reconnect. The practice of meditation is undoubtedly the best method to do that.
Meditation statistics show that its popularity has significantly grown in the past few years, with more and more people looking to relax, calm, and develop mindfulness. The increased awareness of meditation’s health benefits has also contributed to that end.
Whether you’re familiar with the concept of meditation or looking to understand how it can bring value to your life, read on and explore the immense health potential of meditation, the latest trends, and the industry outlook.
Top Meditation Statistics for 2024 (Editor’s Choice)
- Between 200 and 500 million people meditate worldwide.
- With 16.3%, women meditate more than men.
- 66% of the Buddhists in America meditate regularly.
- In 80% of cases, meditation lowers blood pressure.
- Meditation can improve cardiac blood flow by 20%.
- In 30% of cases, meditation proves beneficial for managing back pain.
- The meditation industry will be worth $9 billion in 2027.
- The VR-based meditation market will reach $3.9 billion by 2023.
General Meditation Facts and Statistics
1. Anywhere between 200 and 500 million people globally meditate.
(Mindworks)
These numbers reveal that more and more people realize the potential benefits of meditation and are willing to give it a chance. Furthermore, different groups practice different ways of meditating. Some recite mantras, some chant, some use mala beads, and others prefer walking meditation.
2. 40% of American adults meditate regularly.
(Pew Research)
Meditation stats reveal that the increased adoption of meditation is most likely a result of the mainstream awareness about meditation as an effective self-care practice and the widespread growth of meditation studios and apps in the past few years.
3. 23% of the Gen Z population engages in meditation and mindfulness.
(Stress Matters)
Some interesting facts about meditation pinpoint that twice as many Gen Z-ers practice meditation and mindfulness as Baby Boomers. Additionally, meditation is one of the population’s most essential tactics to maintain physical well-being, along with healthy eating, organic-based nutrition (31%), and decluttering or tidying (18%).
4. 16.3% of women regularly meditate.
(CDC, NCBI)
The latest facts on meditation confirm that more women engage in meditation than men (11.8%). However, both men (90%) and women (94%) consider meditation helpful.
5. 15.9% of middle-aged adults practice meditation.
(LA Times)
Meditation is most popular among adults aged 45–64. For comparison, people in age groups 18–44 and 65 and above account for 13.4% of those who meditate. Among the younger population, 4.7% of children aged 4 to 11 have tried some form of meditation. Similarly, 6.5% of children between 12 and 17 years old have practiced meditation at some point.
6. 66% of Buddhists meditate regularly.
(Pew Research Center)
According to Buddhist meditation facts, meditation is a part of the religious practices in Buddhism. However, regular meditation is the most common among Jehovah’s Witnesses, with 77% doing it at least once a week. In addition, Mormons (60%), Catholics (40%), and Muslims (35%) round up the top five religious groups that meditate the most.
The Latest Meditation Trends
7. 70% of people reported meditating for less than two years.
(Mellowed)
A Mellowed research revealed that most people meditating have been doing it for less than two years. For comparison, only 30% have been meditating for five years or more, whereas 19% said they have engaged in meditation for more than two years. This isn’t surprising considering that meditation has risen into mainstream prominence in the past few years.
8. 88% of people meditate for less than 30 minutes.
(Mellowed)
As meditation fun facts indicate, meditation isn’t a time-consuming task. Most meditators invest less than 30 minutes in this activity. On the other hand, 12% of people reported meditating for 30–60 minutes, whereas only 1% meditate for over an hour, and 41% do it for less than 15 minutes.
9. The average person meditates two to three days a week.
(Mellowed)
However, statistics on meditation show that 51% of the survey participants meditate up to three days a week, whereas only 16% do it every day.
10. 84% of people meditate to reduce stress and anxiety.
(Mellowed)
The majority of people turn to meditation to relieve stress and manage anxiety. Additionally, meditation statistics point out that 53% of people meditate to improve concentration and memory. Other popular reasons include enhancing performance at school or work (52%), boosting energy (39%), improving general health and wellness (30%), and improving the attitude towards life (28%).
11. 87% of people meditate alone.
(Mellowed)
While people love doing fitness in a group, meditation is a solitary practice. Even though there’s a growing number of meditation studios where people can meditate together, the majority still prefer doing it alone. That said, 9% are okay with both options.
Meditation Benefits Statistics
11. Transcendental meditation reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in elderly patients by 100%.
(NCBI)
Elderly patients with cardiovascular disease who practiced three months of transcendental meditation had a significantly better survival rate. On the other hand, the survival rate of patients involved in mindfulness training, mental relaxation, or no treatment is 65–87%.
12. Regular meditation can increase the exercise duration in patients with ischemic heart disease by 44%.
(NCBI)
Another study revealed more exciting facts about yoga and meditation. Apart from the increase in exercise duration, patients with ischemic heart disease that combined meditation or other relaxation exercises with a vegan diet experienced a 55% increase in total work. In comparison, those in the control group didn’t experience significant changes.
13. Meditation can improve cardiac blood flow by 20.7%.
(Springer Link)
A study evaluating the effects of meditation on heart rate found that transcendental meditation combined with essential lifestyle changes like diet modifications and regular exercises can effectively improve heart health. Additionally, those who completed meditation alone experienced an increase in blood flow of 12.8%.
14. Meditation may lower blood pressure 80% of the time.
(Meditation 24-7)
The heart rate during meditation becomes more regular as fluctuations decrease. So, practicing meditation can be beneficial for hypertensive patients. Additionally, 16% of them eventually stopped taking their OTC medications for hypertension.
15. Meditation can reduce the wake time in insomniacs by 50%.
(NCBI)
Meditation helps you release the tension and control the racing thoughts associated with insomnia. Meditation scientific facts from a study exploring the effects of mindfulness-based meditation found that people who practiced meditation experienced an improvement in the severity of their insomnia and managed to stay asleep longer.
16. In 30% of cases, meditation has helped manage back pain.
(PubMed)
Considering that the perception of pain is related to the state of mind, stressful situations can make it worse. However, some fun facts about meditation indicate that incorporating meditation into your daily routine can be beneficial for controlling persistent pain, thus improving the quality of life.
17. In 73% of cases, meditation can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
(NCBI)
Mindfulness-based treatments seem to promise alternative approaches for managing post-traumatic stress disorder. A study conducted among veterans with PTSD proved this notion. On the other hand, mindfulness meditation statistics showed that only 33% experienced reduced symptoms in the control group. However, more extensive research is needed.
18. Meditation can reduce pain by up to 40%.
(The Atlantic)
A Wake Forest University study confirmed some exciting statistics on the subjective experiences of pain. MRI scans of the participants’ brains while inducing pain revealed that the pain sensations were reduced in people who were practicing mindfulness meditation during the trial compared to those who didn’t meditate.
19. Practicing mindfulness-based techniques can lead to a 60% reduction in smoking.
(JAHA)
Some interesting meditation facts and statistics indicate that mindfulness training can increase abstinence rates in smokers more effectively than traditional techniques.
For example, in a study conducted among smokers seeking to reduce stress who were divided into two-week mindfulness meditation programs or relaxation training, it was observed that participants in the former group had a 60% reduction in smoking. On the other hand, no reduction was observed in the relaxation training participants.
20. Meditation in the workplace can boost employees’ productivity by 120%.
(FlexJobs)
Several interesting meditation facts highlight the potential benefits of meditation in the workplace. For example, a chemical manufacturing firm that provided meditation practice for employees saw its profit rose by 520% in three years. At the same time, absenteeism dropped by 85%, and sick days decreased by 76%.
21. After introducing a meditation program, one school reduced suspensions by 45%.
(The Guardian)
Meditation in schools statistics show that an increased number of schools include meditation practices in their curriculum. This growing trend results from meditation’s effects known to reduce aggressive behavior and class absence.
For example, the Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco struggled with violence and gang culture. As a result, the school introduced the “Quiet Time” program—a form of group meditation. After two years, the school reported a 98% attendance rate and had the highest happiness levels across the state.
Meditation Industry Statistics
22. The meditation industry will be worth $9 billion through 2027.
(Data Bridge)
The adoption of meditation practices continues globally, with the US remaining the unprecedented meditation hub. Globally, the industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4%, reaching $9 billion by 2027. Additionally, the latest numbers for the US market indicate that the year-long revenue is growing at an 11.4% rate, and the market value is estimated at $2.08 billion.
23. The meditation app market is expected to reach $4.3 billion by 2027.
(PR Newswire, USA Today)
Meditation numbers highlight a significant surge in mobile apps in the past few years, especially following the coronavirus outbreak. Since 2015, 2,500 meditation apps have been launched. The trend will likely continue, and the market is projected to note a CAGR of 41.3%.
24. Calm accounts for 34% of meditation app downloads.
(Sensor Tower, Statista)
As meditation and mindfulness trends show a rise in adoption, mental wellness apps have experienced a significant surge, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Calm, the app for meditation and better sleep, is the undisputed leader, accounting for 34% of the meditation app downloads. Calm is also the highest-grossing meditation app, with $7.1 million in-app revenue in a single month.
25. The VR-based meditation market will reach $3.9 billion by 2023.
(AppInventiv)
According to meditation statistics, virtual reality is one of the best technologies that catalyze the power of meditation and mindfulness apps. In addition, the technology allows users to visit different environments and work on improving their mental health.
26. Meditation studios in the US generate $659 million in revenue.
(Market Research)
Numerous facts about yoga and meditation prove the growing popularity of meditation studios, especially those working closely with yoga studios. According to estimations, there are 2,450 meditation studios in the US, several of which are non-profit. On average, a meditation studio generates $269,000 in revenue per year.
The Takeaway
Millions of people globally have been practicing the ancient art of meditation. Just about anyone can benefit from meditation and start living a better life. Numerous facts about meditation benefits indicate that regular practice can provide a sense of calmness and balance, benefiting your overall health and state of mind.
Meditation will help you relax, achieve inner peace, and deal with stressful situations better. Additionally, it will help you manage anxiety and depression, boost your memory, and improve your sleep.
If you still haven’t tried meditation, the best time to start is today.
People Also Ask
Who meditates?
According to experts, anyone can learn to meditate, regardless of their spiritual tradition, age, or physical profile. You don’t need to have exceptional spiritual abilities to meditate—it simply requires training until you start feeling comfortable with it. And because it doesn’t require much time, meditation fits into the schedules of numerous famous and successful people, including Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé.
How effective is meditation?
Many studies have proven the benefits of meditation. Specifically, they have highlighted that meditation can aid pain management, lower blood pressure, and help manage certain psychological disorders. Additionally, meditation is known to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fight addiction. Last but not least, meditation is effective in improving self-esteem and self-awareness and becoming more focused and concentrated.
How effective is mindful meditation?
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on what you’re feeling in the moment. It includes guided imagery, breathing methods, and other practices that help you relax and reduce stress. Scientists have found that people who practice mindful meditation are less likely to have unhelpful emotional reactions or negative thoughts when stressed. Also, they are less likely to have negative or worrying thoughts about future or past experiences.
Does meditation lower heart rate?
Meditation helps reduce stress, which lowers the heart rate and blood pressure. At the same time, it reduces the harmful hormones released when the body is under stress. The latest research showed that meditation, proper diet, and exercise could significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, people who meditate are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
What are the disadvantages of meditation?
Despite the immense benefits of meditation, there are some surprising disadvantages. For example, meditation can prompt negative thinking and invite you to re-live negative emotions and memories. Additionally, you might become more aware of your negative qualities, thus damaging your sense of self. Finally, a study has revealed that people who meditate might experience some physical side effects.
How many minutes should we meditate?
The good news about meditation is that it isn’t a time-consuming task. The majority (47%) of people meditate for 15–30 minutes, whereas 41% practice meditation for 15 minutes a day. Experts agree that there are no rules. If you have just come from a stressful meeting, you can get a quick five-minute session, or you can meditate for 30 minutes at the end of the day—whatever works for you!
Is meditation 20 minutes a day enough?
The length of meditation is different for each individual. However, making meditation a regular part of your day is more important than how long you meditate. For example, meditating for 20 minutes a day will provide more benefits than meditating for 90 minutes one day a month. Meditation statistics confirm that taking 20 minutes to meditate daily will eventually help you live a happier and fuller life.
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