Alphabiz - Netflix Generates Over $325 Billion in Global Economic Impact Over a Decade, Report Finds

[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Netflix has generated more than $325 billion in global economic value over the past decade through its content investments, according to a newly released report.

The “Netflix Effect” report, published on May 13, revealed that the company invested over $135 billion in film and series production between 2016 and 2025, creating an estimated $325 billion in economic impact — approximately 2.4 times its total investment.

Netflix also contributed to job creation and local economic growth by producing content in more than 4,500 cities and towns across over 50 countries, supporting more than 425,000 jobs within the global creative ecosystem.

The report highlights ten key impact areas, including talent development for creators and production professionals, increased tourism driven by content, contributions to the global economy through content investment, rediscovery of licensed content and expansion of new audiences, and the creation of global career opportunities for creators and cast members.

It also features a diverse range of Netflix productions from countries such as the United States, Japan, India, France, Norway, and South Africa. Notably, Korean content, creators, and talent were prominently highlighted as key drivers of the “Netflix Effect.”

Among the standout examples, the Korean series “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (폭싹 속았수다) contributed more than KRW 90 billion (approximately $65 million) to the Korean economy, involving over 600 cast and crew members and more than 4,000 partner companies during production.

Meanwhile, the animated film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” the most-watched animated title in Netflix history, has fueled global interest in Korean culture, boosting demand for both the Korean language and travel to Korea. According to the report, 72% of Netflix viewers said they were more likely to visit Korea after watching Korean content.

Driven by the global success of Korean content, the number of inbound tourists to Korea reached a record 2.76 million in the first quarter of this year.

Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, emphasized the company’s strategy, stating, “To be truly global, you must start by being deeply local. Our continued investment of tens of billions of dollars annually in content, along with training programs in 75 countries, reflects our commitment to supporting the long-term growth of the entertainment industry.”

Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)