Skill Based Credentialing And Digital Badges Market
Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Forecasts to 2032 – Global Analysis By Credential Type (Digital Badges, Micro-Certifications, Nanodegrees, Professional Skill Credentials, Academic Micro-Credentials and Other Credential Types), Verification Method, Delivery Format, Technology, End User and By Geography
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market is accounted for $2.4 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $6.8 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 16% during the forecast period. Skill-based credentialing and digital badges refer to modern verification systems that validate an individual’s specific competencies, practical abilities, and achievements in a transparent and portable format. Unlike traditional qualifications, these credentials focus on measurable skills—technical, cognitive, or soft—that learners acquire through courses, training, or real-world experiences. Digital badges use secure, metadata-rich icons that detail what the holder has accomplished, including the issuing authority and assessment criteria. This approach supports lifelong learning, helps employers identify qualified talent quickly, and empowers individuals to showcase verified skills across professional platforms, enhancing employability and personalized career pathways.
Market Dynamics:
Driver:
Growth in online learning and certifications
Learners are increasingly turning to online platforms for flexible, affordable, and accessible education. Digital badges provide verifiable proof of skills acquired through MOOCs, micro-credentials, and professional courses. Employers are recognizing badges as credible indicators of workforce readiness. Integration with LinkedIn and other professional networks is amplifying visibility of digital credentials. This driver continues to anchor growth by aligning lifelong learning with verifiable skill recognition.
Restraint:
Lack of standardization across credential systems
Multiple platforms issue badges with varying criteria, reducing consistency and trust. Employers often struggle to evaluate the credibility of badges across different providers. Regional differences in accreditation frameworks further complicate adoption. Industry associations are attempting to establish common standards for interoperability and recognition. This restraint continues to limit widespread acceptance despite strong demand for alternative credentials.
Opportunity:
Increasing employer focus on skills-based hiring
Companies are shifting from degree-based recruitment to competency-driven evaluation. Digital badges provide granular insights into specific skills, enabling better talent matching. Employers are integrating badge verification into HR systems to streamline hiring processes. Rising competition in global job markets is accelerating demand for verifiable skill credentials. This opportunity is unlocking new revenue streams and reinforcing the role of badges in workforce development.
Threat:
Low interoperability between learning platforms
Learners often face challenges in transferring badges across different ecosystems. Employers struggle to consolidate credentials from multiple providers into unified talent profiles. Inconsistent technical standards reduce efficiency and credibility of badge verification. Platform providers must invest in APIs and blockchain-based solutions to improve interoperability. This threat continues to constrain long-term adoption despite rising demand for portable credentials.
Covid-19 Impact:
Covid-19 accelerated demand for digital badges as schools, universities, and corporations shifted to online learning. Lockdowns boosted interest in short-term certifications and micro-credentials for career advancement. Learners adopted badges to demonstrate skills acquired during remote education and training. Employers increasingly relied on digital credentials to evaluate candidates in virtual hiring processes. E-commerce and online learning platforms became primary channels for badge distribution. This impact continues to reshape education delivery and strengthen reliance on verifiable digital credentials.
The digital badges segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The digital badges segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period due to strong adoption across education and corporate training. Badges provide flexible, verifiable recognition of skills acquired through diverse learning pathways. Universities and online platforms are increasingly issuing badges to supplement traditional degrees. Employers are integrating badge verification into recruitment and talent management systems. Advances in blockchain and AI are enhancing credibility and security of badges. This segment continues to dominate due to its broad applicability and growing recognition.
The individual learners segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
Over the forecast period, the individual learners segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate due to rising demand for career-focused credentials. Learners are increasingly adopting badges to showcase skills in competitive job markets. Mobile-first platforms and e-learning apps are accelerating badge adoption among individuals. Social media integration is amplifying visibility of badges in professional networks. Rising demand for lifelong learning and continuous upskilling is reinforcing adoption. This segment is expected to outpace others due to its alignment with personal career growth.
Region with largest share:
During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share due to advanced infrastructure and strong employer recognition of digital credentials. The U.S. and Canada are leading adoption through high demand for online certifications and workforce development programs. Universities and corporations are increasingly issuing badges to validate skills. Venture capital funding is accelerating innovation in credentialing startups. Regulatory clarity and strong marketing campaigns are fostering confidence in badge adoption. Integration with professional networks is strengthening the role of badges in recruitment. North America continues to dominate in both revenue and innovation leadership, reinforcing its position as the largest regional market.
Region with highest CAGR:
Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR due to rapid urbanization and rising education demand. Countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea are driving adoption of digital badges through government-led digital education initiatives. Local startups and global platforms are scaling mobile-first solutions tailored to regional needs. Rising middle-class incomes and digital adoption are accelerating participation in credentialing systems. Employers are increasingly recognizing badges as credible indicators of skills in competitive job markets. E-commerce growth in Southeast Asia is creating new opportunities for badge distribution.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market include Credly, Inc., Coursera, Inc., Udemy, Inc., edX LLC, Skillsoft Corporation, LinkedIn Learning (Microsoft Corporation), Khan Academy, Inc., Concentric Sky, Inc., Acclaim Digital Badges, Open Badge Factory, Degreed, Inc., Simplilearn Solutions Private Limited, FutureLearn Limited, Pluralsight, LLC and Skillshare, Inc.
Key Developments:
In September 2025, Coursera expanded partnerships with 350+ institutions, offering 10,000+ AI-focused courses and certifications. These collaborations embed digital badges into career pathways, aligning with employer demand for cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other high-income skills.
In January 2022, Pearson acquired Credly, consolidating its workforce skills portfolio. This acquisition expanded Pearson’s reach in digital credentialing, adding Credly’s trusted badge services to its assessment and learning platforms. The merger positioned Credly as a global leader in skill verification.
Credential Types Covered:
• Digital Badges
• Micro-Certifications
• Nanodegrees
• Professional Skill Credentials
• Academic Micro-Credentials
• Other Credential Types
Verification Methods Covered:
• Decentralized Credential Verification
• Centralized Institutional Verification
• Automated AI Verification
• Human-Assisted Credential Validation
• Other Verification Methods
Delivery Formats Covered:
• Course-Based Micro-Credentials
• Assessment-Only Credentials
• Stackable Credentials
• Modular Learning Pathways
• Other Delivery Formats
Technologies Covered:
• Blockchain Credentialing Systems
• AI-Powered Credential Verification
• Learning Management System Integration
• Digital Wallet Credential Storage
• Other Technologies
End Users Covered:
• Enterprises
• Academic Institutions
• Government & Nonprofit Organizations
• Individual Learners
• Training Providers & EdTech Platforms
• Other End Users
Regions Covered:
• North America
o US
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o UK
o Italy
o France
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
o Japan
o China
o India
o Australia
o New Zealand
o South Korea
o Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
o Argentina
o Brazil
o Chile
o Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Qatar
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements
Free Customization Offerings:
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
o Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
o SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
o Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
o Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances
Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary
2 Preface
2.1 Abstract
2.2 Stake Holders
2.3 Research Scope
2.4 Research Methodology
2.4.1 Data Mining
2.4.2 Data Analysis
2.4.3 Data Validation
2.4.4 Research Approach
2.5 Research Sources
2.5.1 Primary Research Sources
2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources
2.5.3 Assumptions
3 Market Trend Analysis
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Drivers
3.3 Restraints
3.4 Opportunities
3.5 Threats
3.6 Technology Analysis
3.7 End User Analysis
3.8 Emerging Markets
3.9 Impact of Covid-19
4 Porters Five Force Analysis
4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers
4.2 Bargaining power of buyers
4.3 Threat of substitutes
4.4 Threat of new entrants
4.5 Competitive rivalry
5 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market, By Credential Type
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Digital Badges
5.3 Micro-Certifications
5.4 Nanodegrees
5.5 Professional Skill Credentials
5.6 Academic Micro-Credentials
5.7 Other Credential Types
6 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market, By Verification Method
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Decentralized Credential Verification
6.3 Centralized Institutional Verification
6.4 Automated AI Verification
6.5 Human-Assisted Credential Validation
6.6 Other Verification Methods
7 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market, By Delivery Format
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Course-Based Micro-Credentials
7.3 Assessment-Only Credentials
7.4 Stackable Credentials
7.5 Modular Learning Pathways
7.6 Other Delivery Formats
8 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market, By Technology
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Blockchain Credentialing Systems
8.3 AI-Powered Credential Verification
8.4 Learning Management System Integration
8.5 Digital Wallet Credential Storage
8.6 Other Technologies
9 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market, By End User
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Enterprises
9.3 Academic Institutions
9.4 Government & Nonprofit Organizations
9.5 Individual Learners
9.6 Training Providers & EdTech Platforms
9.7 Other End Users
10 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market, By Geography
10.1 Introduction
10.2 North America
10.2.1 US
10.2.2 Canada
10.2.3 Mexico
10.3 Europe
10.3.1 Germany
10.3.2 UK
10.3.3 Italy
10.3.4 France
10.3.5 Spain
10.3.6 Rest of Europe
10.4 Asia Pacific
10.4.1 Japan
10.4.2 China
10.4.3 India
10.4.4 Australia
10.4.5 New Zealand
10.4.6 South Korea
10.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific
10.5 South America
10.5.1 Argentina
10.5.2 Brazil
10.5.3 Chile
10.5.4 Rest of South America
10.6 Middle East & Africa
10.6.1 Saudi Arabia
10.6.2 UAE
10.6.3 Qatar
10.6.4 South Africa
10.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa
11 Key Developments
11.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures
11.2 Acquisitions & Mergers
11.3 New Product Launch
11.4 Expansions
11.5 Other Key Strategies
12 Company Profiling
12.1 Credly Inc
12.2 Coursera Inc
12.3 Udemy Inc
12.4 edX LLC
12.5 Skillsoft Corporation
12.6 LinkedIn Learning (Microsoft Corporation)
12.7 Khan Academy Inc
12.8 Concentric Sky Inc
12.9 Acclaim Digital Badges
12.10 Open Badge Factory
12.11 Degreed Inc
12.12 Simplilearn Solutions Private Limited
12.13 FutureLearn Limited
12.14 Pluralsight LLC
12.15 Skillshare Inc
List of Tables
1 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Region (2024-2032) ($MN)
2 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Credential Type (2024-2032) ($MN)
3 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Digital Badges (2024-2032) ($MN)
4 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Micro-Certifications (2024-2032) ($MN)
5 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Nanodegrees (2024-2032) ($MN)
6 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Professional Skill Credentials (2024-2032) ($MN)
7 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Academic Micro-Credentials (2024-2032) ($MN)
8 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Other Credential Types (2024-2032) ($MN)
9 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Verification Method (2024-2032) ($MN)
10 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Decentralized Credential Verification (2024-2032) ($MN)
11 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Centralized Institutional Verification (2024-2032) ($MN)
12 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Automated AI Verification (2024-2032) ($MN)
13 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Human-Assisted Credential Validation (2024-2032) ($MN)
14 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Other Verification Methods (2024-2032) ($MN)
15 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Delivery Format (2024-2032) ($MN)
16 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Course-Based Micro-Credentials (2024-2032) ($MN)
17 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Assessment-Only Credentials (2024-2032) ($MN)
18 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Stackable Credentials (2024-2032) ($MN)
19 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Modular Learning Pathways (2024-2032) ($MN)
20 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Other Delivery Formats (2024-2032) ($MN)
21 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Technology (2024-2032) ($MN)
22 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Blockchain Credentialing Systems (2024-2032) ($MN)
23 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By AI-Powered Credential Verification (2024-2032) ($MN)
24 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Learning Management System Integration (2024-2032) ($MN)
25 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Digital Wallet Credential Storage (2024-2032) ($MN)
26 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Other Technologies (2024-2032) ($MN)
27 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By End User (2024-2032) ($MN)
28 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Enterprises (2024-2032) ($MN)
29 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Academic Institutions (2024-2032) ($MN)
30 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Government & Nonprofit Organizations (2024-2032) ($MN)
31 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Individual Learners (2024-2032) ($MN)
32 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Training Providers & EdTech Platforms (2024-2032) ($MN)
33 Global Skill-Based Credentialing & Digital Badges Market Outlook, By Other End Users (2024-2032) ($MN)
Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.
List of Figures
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
We at ‘Stratistics’ opt for an extensive research approach which involves data mining, data validation, and data analysis. The various research sources include in-house repository, secondary research, competitor’s sources, social media research, client internal data, and primary research.
Our team of analysts prefers the most reliable and authenticated data sources in order to perform the comprehensive literature search. With access to most of the authenticated data bases our team highly considers the best mix of information through various sources to obtain extensive and accurate analysis.
Each report takes an average time of a month and a team of 4 industry analysts. The time may vary depending on the scope and data availability of the desired market report. The various parameters used in the market assessment are standardized in order to enhance the data accuracy.
Data Mining
The data is collected from several authenticated, reliable, paid and unpaid sources and is filtered depending on the scope & objective of the research. Our reports repository acts as an added advantage in this procedure. Data gathering from the raw material suppliers, distributors and the manufacturers is performed on a regular basis, this helps in the comprehensive understanding of the products value chain. Apart from the above mentioned sources the data is also collected from the industry consultants to ensure the objective of the study is in the right direction.
Market trends such as technological advancements, regulatory affairs, market dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Challenges) are obtained from scientific journals, market related national & international associations and organizations.
Data Analysis
From the data that is collected depending on the scope & objective of the research the data is subjected for the analysis. The critical steps that we follow for the data analysis include:
- Product Lifecycle Analysis
- Competitor analysis
- Risk analysis
- Porters Analysis
- PESTEL Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
The data engineering is performed by the core industry experts considering both the Marketing Mix Modeling and the Demand Forecasting. The marketing mix modeling makes use of multiple-regression techniques to predict the optimal mix of marketing variables. Regression factor is based on a number of variables and how they relate to an outcome such as sales or profits.
Data Validation
The data validation is performed by the exhaustive primary research from the expert interviews. This includes telephonic interviews, focus groups, face to face interviews, and questionnaires to validate our research from all aspects. The industry experts we approach come from the leading firms, involved in the supply chain ranging from the suppliers, distributors to the manufacturers and consumers so as to ensure an unbiased analysis.
We are in touch with more than 15,000 industry experts with the right mix of consultants, CEO's, presidents, vice presidents, managers, experts from both supply side and demand side, executives and so on.
The data validation involves the primary research from the industry experts belonging to:
- Leading Companies
- Suppliers & Distributors
- Manufacturers
- Consumers
- Industry/Strategic Consultants
Apart from the data validation the primary research also helps in performing the fill gap research, i.e. providing solutions for the unmet needs of the research which helps in enhancing the reports quality.
For more details about research methodology, kindly write to us at info@strategymrc.com
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