Airbnb Statistics: Demographics, Superhosts, Airbnb Plus in 2022

Airbnb is a service that offers different places for accommodations for any period from one day to over four weeks. The platform works as an intermediary between people looking to rent and owners with available properties.

Airbnb’s popularity has increased considerably in recent years, resulting in over 220 countries and regions with active listings. So, let’s see some interesting stats on the subject.

Top Airbnb Statistics: Editor’s Choice

General Airbnb Facts

Airbnb was conceived in 2007 when two roommates considered renting out rooms in their apartment to make a profit. Since then, the platform has been continuously growing. Take a look at the following information to understand the history of Airbnb and how the service developed over the years.

1. The number of active worldwide listings is over 5.6 million in 2021.

The Airbnb listing statistics globally show there are properties offered for rent in over 100,000 cities. The number of available accommodations, however, varies significantly from one country to another.

2. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb’s market size made up over 20% of the vacation rental industry.

The “sharing economy” concept proved effective, making Airbnb the most successful property rental service before the pandemic. The industry was valued at about $87 billion in 2020, but the platform suffered an 85% decline in bookings that year.

Airbnb’s revenue for 2020 was $3.4 billion, as the company experienced a 30% loss YoY due to the lockdown restrictions.

3. The average Airbnb global occupancy rate in 2020 was 11.4%.

That is a key performance indicator for rental owners and property managers, as it shows how many days in a month a property has bookings. The global Airbnb’s occupancy rate data for 2020 shows it significantly decreased from the 2019 figures.

The demand for Airbnb rentals was the highest in the US, with 68.1 million bookings in 2020, followed by France with 27.8 million.

4. The average Airbnb income per host is $9,600 annually.

US hosts are at the top of the ranking, with $24,886 as average earnings for 2020, while French had an average income of $6,700 during the same year.

In terms of regions, North America has the highest average annual earnings for 2020 of $22,894, and Africa has the lowest—$4,939.

5. The global compound Airbnb growth rate has been 153% in the 2009-2019 period.

These high rates were due to the increasing number of bookings and the key investors that considered the popularity of Airbnb as promising.

Data shows that 90% of the platform users are satisfied with the service, and they choose it over traditional hotels primarily due to the affordable prices and authentic experience it provides.

Airbnb Demographics

Airbnb has been a booming alternative to hotels and other traditional accommodation. Its online service is a marketplace of authentic places, connecting travelers with local hosts. The following summary of key data of the platform users offers some curious insights.

6. Airbnb has over 2.9 million active hosts in 2021.

The number of Airbnb hosts increases rapidly, with 14,000 people joining each month. However, there is a difference between registered and active hosts—out of over four million, nearly 1.1 million are currently unable to offer their homes.

7. 19.4% of hosts achieve Superhost status.

Superhost is a category that distinguishes the best hosts and provides them with a badge of honor for their profile on the platform. They are placed higher in search results and receive extra benefits for their hospitality.

Airbnb Superhost statistics show that nearly a fifth of the host community gets this recognition.

8. 32% of the guests in 2020 were between 20 and 30 years old.

Airbnb statistics on age show millennials and members of Generation Z—people up to 30 years old—book the most. People between 30 to 40 years were in second place, with 26%, and those between 40 to 50 years followed, with 16%.

9. 55% of the hosts and 54% of the guests are women.

Airbnb demographics show that over two million hosts on the platform are women. In addition, the top-rated hosts are also female seniors over the age of 60.

Airbnb estimates that women with one property who have joined the service since the beginning of the pandemic have collectively earned over $600 million so far.

10. Airbnb user demographics show 75,000 people have found accommodation through the company emergency response program.

Airbnb.org is a non-profit initiative that facilitates temporary stays for people in an emergency, like natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the company is committed to donating 400,000 existing shares, with the co-founders’ support of $6 million, to develop Airbnb.org further.

11. The number of Airbnb’s senior hosts is 400,000.

Many senior citizens have found in Airbnb a way to make an extra income, which allows them to pay their debts and improve their housing conditions and general quality of life.

Nowadays, seniors represent the fastest-growing group of hosts on the platform. For example, the overall host community has grown around 85% in the US, and the senior host community showed an increase of 100%.

How Much Does Airbnb Charge Hosts?

While the Airbnb service does provide an opportunity to rent out your available space and get some extra income, it comes with conditions and a service fee for the host. It’s the company’s way to stay afloat and be profitable in the competitive industry.

12. 3% is the most common service fee charged to the hosts.

The Airbnb stats show two options for paying the service fee, the most preferred choice being a split between the host—3% and the guest—under 14%. Alternatively, only the host pays between 14% and 16%, which is mandatory for hotels and other particular cases.

There are also exceptions with different fees, such as Italian listings or those with stricter cancellation policies.

13. The average Airbnb price per night is $110 globally.

In terms of pricing, the picture is mixed. Research shows that in North America, the average cost is $161, while in Latin America, it is $67. Moreover, prices vary depending on the status of the host and the type of accommodation.

14. Airbnb’s annual revenue for 2020 was $3.4 billion.

The data shows that the company’s assets were $10.5 billion, and the profits were negative $4.6 billion. All these figures result from an atypical year since the pandemic hit the tourism industry hard, affecting the platform’s performance.

15. Airbnb’s shares were sold at a value of $146.

On December 10, 2020, the platform went public and entered the stock market with a valuation of $86.5 billion. The above figure is the Airbnb market share price on opening day, and currently, it’s about $160 per share.

16. The insurance coverage for an Airbnb host is $1 million.

For hosts, the platform provides protection against damages caused by guests for the place and belongings. However, this insurance has some limitations and exclusions, so every host should consult the details.

What Is Airbnb Plus?

Airbnb Plus is a selection of top-quality accommodations and hosts with exemplary reviews and attention to every detail. To receive the status, it’s necessary to go through an intensive verification process, guaranteeing the high quality of the places.

17. The rating of the host must be at least 4.8 to be part of Airbnb Plus.

The Airbnb user statistics show that the company prioritizes the last year’s experiences to ensure Plus status. The platform considers the results obtained in the verification process and the customer’s experience before receiving the benefits.

18. At least 95% of the previous year’s bookings must have been accepted.

Airbnb statistics show how challenging it’s to achieve Plus status and keep it. The host must not have any cancellations on their behalf—except under extenuating circumstances.

Furthermore, you need to offer either an entire home or a bedroom with a private bathroom to apply for the status.

19. Only nine countries are allowed to have listings on Airbnb Plus.

Airbnb Plus is a very exclusive program to participate in. Airbnb must invite you, and the accommodation has to be in one of the following countries: the US, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, or Poland.

20. The Airbnb Plus average occupancy rate is 15% higher than for standard hosts.

Additionally, compared to Superhosts, Airbnb Plus members get 2% more occupancy. However, this doesn’t apply to all cities since, in some places, such as Austin, Chicago, London, and San Francisco, Superhosts are still the most popular.

21. Airbnb Plus properties charge up to 70% more.

Airbnb rental statistics confirm that offering a good service focused on exceptional quality and design pays well for hosts. Namely, a night in an Airbnb Plus can cost around $250.

22. In the US, Plus program earnings are 400% higher than the standard ones.

Airbnb Plus’ revenue growth, in comparison to standard hosts and Superhost, is remarkable. In Austin, the hosts are leading the way, earning 404% more than other accommodations.

23. There are over 26,000 active Plus listings as of 2020.

This figure is relatively low compared to the total number of accommodations registered on the platform. However, it represents only 0.6% of the properties in the cities where the Plus program is available.

An interesting Airbnb Plus data analysis shows considerable growth, given that the program started with only 2,000 listings.

Additional Airbnb Stats and Demographics by Country

Below, you will find some additional data, with statistics of particular cities, some complex aspects about the platform, and how the pandemic affected Airbnb.

24. A 1% increase in Airbnb listings triggers a price rise of up to 0.018% in the US rental market.

As much as it benefits local economies, some of the negative impacts of Airbnb are on the real estate sector. The platform stimulates homeowners to move their properties to the short-term rental market, also resulting in a slight decrease in house prices.

25. 35% of Airbnb listings in Australia are sublet properties.

The Airbnb crime statistics don’t differ significantly from the general situation in each city. The rentals on the platform can suffer from anything that can happen in other types of accommodation.

However, the subletting trend is quite common in Airbnb, and, in most cases, it is illegal. Not only guests might be unaware of it but also the property owners themselves. The data for Australia is very similar to the rest of the world.

26. In 2020, Paris had 41,607 active listings.

According to Airbnb statistics by city, Paris was crowned as the city with the highest number of listings, followed by Bali Island, with 36,386, and Shanghai, with 33,287. The top ten include New York, Chengdu, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Sydney, and Guangzhou.

27. As of 2020, the total nights stayed in Sydney was 1,132,856.

That is remarkable Airbnb statistics for Australia since Sydney climbed up in ranking compared to 2019 and made it into the top ten cities with the most nights stayed. What’s more, another Australian city appeared on the list, Melbourne, with 958,976 nights.

28. As of 2020, the total nights stayed in Toronto was 1,059,217.

Another city that made its way into the worldwide top ten was Toronto. The 2019 Airbnb statistics for Canada show that none of its cities had reached this ranking before.

That doesn’t mean that the country did better in 2020, but the overall numbers dropped due to the pandemic.

29. Airbnb’s valuation decreased 48.6% in 2020.

Many negative Airbnb statistics due to COVID-19 emerged since the platform has been one of the most affected by the pandemic.

The decrease in its valuation resulted in a drop from $35 billion to $18 billion due to an 85% reduction in bookings. However, these numbers gradually improved as countries relaxed their travel restrictions.

30. 83% of US citizens want to relocate because of remote work.

To determine the Airbnb trends for 2021, the company conducted a survey asking 1,010 US citizens about their preferences. As work and school conditions have changed due to the pandemic, most participants favor living where they want and working remotely.

60% of parents with school-age children agreed on working remotely if traditional school is suspended.

Airbnb Statistics: The Takeaway

Airbnb represents a solution for people looking for a different experience when traveling. The appeal of these alternative rentals is that the platform offers something to the expectations and budget of each user.

It also represents an opportunity for those who can offer short-term rentals to make some profits.

Keeping track of recent statistics will give you an essential overview of the evolution of the platform, the benefits, and some drawbacks for both guests and hosts if you are thinking of becoming one.

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