Terabytes of Data Created Globally
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Annual Data Creation
Daily Data
Per Second
Understanding Terabytes of Data Created Globally
This counter tracks the staggering amount of digital data being created every second around the world. Humanity now generates 181 zettabytes (181 billion terabytes) of data annually—a number that has grown exponentially over the past decade.
To put this in perspective, 181 zettabytes could fill approximately 45 trillion DVDs or store the content of 18.1 trillion hours of high-definition video. The data created in a single day (496 million TB) exceeds all the information created by humanity before 2003.
The primary drivers of data creation include social media posts, streaming video, IoT sensors, business transactions, scientific research, and increasingly, AI training and inference operations.
The Data Explosion Era
- Video content accounts for approximately 82% of all internet traffic, with streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok driving massive data creation and consumption.
- The Internet of Things (IoT) contributes significantly to data growth, with over 15 billion connected devices generating continuous streams of sensor data.
- Only about 2% of all data created is actually stored and retained; the vast majority is transient and discarded after immediate use.
- By 2027, global data creation is projected to reach 284 zettabytes annually, representing continued exponential growth.
Data Creation by Source
- Video streaming and content: 82%
- IoT and sensors: 8%
- Social media: 4%
- Business applications: 3%
- Other sources: 3%
Data Growth Projections
- 2020: 64 zettabytes
- 2023: 120 zettabytes
- 2025: 181 zettabytes
- 2027: 284 zettabytes (projected)
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
Data creation estimates come from IDC's Global DataSphere research, which tracks data created, captured, copied, and consumed worldwide.
The per-second rate is calculated by dividing 181 zettabytes (181 billion TB) by 31,536,000 seconds per year.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout Terabytes of Data Created Globally
Approximately 496 million terabytes (496 petabytes) of data are created globally every day. This includes everything from social media posts and emails to streaming video, IoT sensor readings, and business transactions.
A zettabyte equals 1 billion terabytes, or 1 trillion gigabytes. At 181 zettabytes per year, humanity creates enough data to fill approximately 45 trillion DVDs annually.
Video streaming and content creation account for approximately 82% of all data generated. Platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok are the primary drivers, followed by IoT devices (8%) and social media (4%).