Skip to content
Beltway Media
Menu
By the numbersLast updated November 2026

PR and communications by the numbers

The public relations market is projected to reach USD 171 billion by 2032, and outsourced PR already holds more than 61% of it, according to published industry research collected here.

Published by Beltway Media

How big is the PR industry, and is it growing?

Yes, it is growing. Mordor Intelligence projects the public relations market will expand from USD 114.2 billion in 2026 to USD 171 billion by 2032, and Sprout Social reports a projected 5.78% CAGR between 2024 and 2029. Beltway Media collected these figures to show where communications investment is heading.

Book a free strategy sessionRead the FAQ

The statistics

Each figure is quoted with its source. None are Beltway Media results.

  • $171B

    Projected size of the public relations market by 2032

    “The public relations market size is projected to expand from USD 114.2 billion in 2026 and USD 122.4 billion in 2027 to USD 171 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 6.92% between 2027 and 2032.”

    Source: Mordor Intelligence, Public Relations Market Report 2032

  • 5.78%

    Projected annual growth of the global PR market, 2024 to 2029

    “The global PR market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.78% between 2024 and 2029. This consistent annual growth reflects rising investment in communications as a strategic business function rather than a reactive cost center.”

    Source: Sprout Social, Public Relations Statistics: Trends & Data for 2026

  • 61.85%

    Share of the PR market held by agency-based outsourced PR in 2026

    “Agency-based outsourced PR led deployment models with a 61.85% share in 2026 and is also forecast to grow fastest at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2027 and 2032.”

    Source: Mordor Intelligence, Public Relations Market Report 2032

  • 61.63%

    Share of the market held by agency-based outsourced PR, per Sprout Social

    “Two structural shifts are worth noting within that growth: Digital and online media captured 57.84% of 2025 spend, and agency-based outsourced PR held 61.63% of the market, with the agency-based outsourced segment expected to expand at a 7.64% CAGR through 2031.”

    Source: Sprout Social, Public Relations Statistics: Trends & Data for 2026

  • 57.95%

    Share of the PR market held by digital and online media in 2026

    “Across channels, digital / online media held a 57.95% share of the public relations market size in 2026, and influencer and creator-led media are forecast to grow fastest at a CAGR of 7.7% between 2027 and 2032.”

    Source: Mordor Intelligence, Public Relations Market Report 2032

  • 40.34%

    Share of the PR market led by digital and social media PR services in 2026

    “By service type, digital and social media PR led with a 40.34% public relations market share in 2026, while analytics and insights services are forecast to grow fastest at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2027 and 2032.”

    Source: Mordor Intelligence, Public Relations Market Report 2032

  • 37%

    Respondents who knew where negative sentiment about their brand was concentrated

    “Only 37% of respondents said they knew where negative sentiment around their brand was most concentrated, a significant drop from 56% in 2024.”

    Source: Sprout Social, Public Relations Statistics: Trends & Data for 2026

  • 97%

    Marketing leaders who say it is crucial that marketers know how to use AI

    “AI integration: 97% of marketing leaders say it's crucial that marketers know how to use AI in their work, and 48% are keen to invest in even more AI tools in 2025.”

    Source: Sprout Social, Public Relations Statistics: Trends & Data for 2026

What the numbers mean for organizations

Reading the numbers: outsourcing, digital, and trust

Three patterns stand out. First, communications is being treated as a strategic function: Sprout Social describes steady growth that reflects investment in communications rather than a reactive cost center. Second, most organizations already outsource. Agency-based outsourced PR held a 61.85% share in 2026 according to Mordor Intelligence, and 61.63% of the market according to Sprout Social.

Third, visibility into reputation is slipping. Sprout Social reports only 37% of respondents knew where negative sentiment around their brand was most concentrated, down from 56% in 2024. Beltway Media's view is that this gap is a leadership problem: someone senior must own voice, monitoring, and crisis preparedness. That is the role of a fractional chief communications officer.

Where the two sources differ

Sprout Social and Mordor Intelligence measure slightly different periods, so their figures do not match exactly. Sprout Social reports a 5.78% CAGR for 2024 to 2029 and a 7.64% CAGR for outsourced PR through 2031. Mordor Intelligence reports a 6.92% CAGR for 2027 to 2032 and 7.3% for outsourced PR over the same window. Both are quoted as published.

Sources

Compiled by Beltway Media. Return to the media relations consulting overview.

Common questions

Short answers here. Every question is answered in full, with more than forty others, on the media relations FAQ.

How big is the public relations industry?

Mordor Intelligence projects the public relations market will expand from USD 114.2 billion in 2026 and USD 122.4 billion in 2027 to USD 171 billion by 2032, a CAGR of 6.92% between 2027 and 2032. Sprout Social separately reports a projected 5.78% CAGR for the global PR market between 2024 and 2029.

See this answer in the FAQ: How big is the public relations industry?

Are more organizations outsourcing PR?

Published research says outsourced PR is the largest model. Mordor Intelligence reports agency-based outsourced PR led deployment models with a 61.85% share in 2026 and forecasts a 7.3% CAGR between 2027 and 2032. Sprout Social reports agency-based outsourced PR held 61.63% of the market, expected to expand at a 7.64% CAGR through 2031.

See this answer in the FAQ: Are more organizations outsourcing PR?

Why does it matter where negative sentiment about a brand comes from?

You cannot respond well to criticism you cannot locate. Sprout Social reports that only 37% of respondents said they knew where negative sentiment around their brand was most concentrated, a significant drop from 56% in 2024. Monitoring where criticism concentrates is a basic input to crisis preparedness and reputation work.

See this answer in the FAQ: Why does it matter where negative sentiment about a brand comes from?

How does AI change media relations?

AI makes earned media more important, not less. Beltway Media's published analysis argues that AI discovery favors third-party credibility signals over brand-controlled content, which pushes communications budgets toward earned authority that AI systems trust. Coverage in credible outlets and citable, original data now help organizations show up when people ask AI tools for recommendations.

See this answer in the FAQ: How does AI change media relations?

Does PR make good money?

PR can pay well, especially at senior levels, but pay varies widely by role, seniority, sector, and city. Executive roles such as chief communications officer generally earn far more than entry-level positions. For current official pay figures, check the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for public relations specialists.

See this answer in the FAQ: Does PR make good money?

Turn market trends into a plan

Book a free strategy session to see where your communications stand.

Book a free strategy session