Introduction to Coursera’s 2025 Learning Outcomes Report: Global Surveys Shows Measurable Career Impact on Online Learners

Coursera CEO Greg Hart

I am very happy to introduce the 2025 Coursera Learning Outcomes Report, created in collaboration with Harris Poll. As a global learning platform, Coursera aims to help learners around the world master the right skills to grow. With technological disruption, economic uncertainty and population shifts, reshaping the global labor market, fulfilling this responsibility has never been so urgent, or further away.

Learner Outcome Report provides us with a valuable opportunity to evaluate our progress in completing this task. We have collected insights from over 52,000 learners in 179 countries to understand how Coursera empowers learners to achieve their professional and personal goals. This year’s report found:

• Acquiring skills for career development is the first motivation to learn on Coursera – 86% of learners come to the platform to build new skills and change their careers:
  • Their motivations include: Securing their first career job, changing careers, advancing to current roles or starting their own business
  • Almost all learners (99%) registered their program on Coursera and considered multiple career goals
  • Nearly three-quarters of learners (73%) determine that acquiring key skills in career development is their primary motivation for learning on Coursera
• Coursera continues to bring meaningful and measurable trainer outcomes to these learners, including salary increase, skill development, higher work standards and personal benefits:
  • 91% of learners achieve positive career outcomes after completing Coursera courses
  • Almost half of learners (46%) reported salary increases after taking a Coursera course or course
  • The impact is even greater for learners who complete industry micro applications: 51% of learners who complete entry-level professional certificates receive an increase in salary
  • 84% of learners improve or develop key technical skills in their respective industries
  • 89% of learners improve their soft skills capabilities, especially critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential to stay resilient in the AI ​​economy.

• These career outcomes are experienced by learners around the world and are often more evident in emerging economies and among female learners. We found:
  • Learners in emerging economies are more likely to report positive career outcomes than in developed economies (94% vs. 84%)
  • Learners in emerging economies are 74% (19%) more likely to progress to higher levels of work after the course (33% vs. 19%) than learners in developed economies
  • Examples include:
    • India: After Coursera study, 95% of learners achieved positive career outcomes after learning, while 55% reported an increase in salary. Both figures are above the global average (91% and 46% respectively).
    • Egypt: 95% of learners reported positive career outcomes, with 56% reporting wage increases.
    • Colombia: 50% of learners reported increased wages, while 39% reported higher work levels, with the global average of 27%
  • Among women, nearly half (48%) reported an increase in salary after completing a course – slightly higher than men (45%)

• Learners who complete Genai content on Coursera experience tangible career benefits:
  • 94% of full-time professionals who complete Genai courses report positive impact on their work
  • 91% of learners who completed the Genai course achieved positive career outcomes
  • More than one-tenth of learners (42%) who complete Genai courses report an increase in salary after completing the course or program

We also found that Coursera Coursera is our AI-driven personalized learning guide that is delivering encouraging results: 94% of learners use coaches saying it improves their learning experience, and its benefits include:

• It is easier to understand complex concepts
• More interactive, engaging learning
• Better preserve course materials

The report provides encouraging evidence that by combining platform innovation with the trusted content of our partners, we can provide millions of learners around the world with the critical skills needed for career development and career success, including those who need access to these resources the most. We will continue to work tirelessly with our university and industry educators as well as businesses, campuses and governments to develop a more skilled, innovative, and work-providing workforce.

You can download the full 2025 learning outcomes report here.