Scuba diving statistics reveal how the sport has evolved into a global industry, with millions of active participants, thousands of dive centres, and a growing demand for travel experiences, such as liveaboards.
In this article, we bring together the latest data on participation rates, training agencies such as PADI and SSI, diver demographics, certification trends, and the size of the dive tourism market to give a clear picture of where scuba diving stands today.
Table of Contents
Key Findings
- There are an estimated 6 million scuba divers worldwide, but fewer than half (41.67%) are considered active, meaning they’ve dived at least once in the past year.
- In the U.S., 2.6 million people were active scuba divers in 2020, with participation generally fluctuating between 2.5–3.3 million over the past two decades. The peak was 3.3 million in 2015, while 2021 marked the lowest level since 2011.
- In the UK, around 365,000 people participated in scuba diving in 2018, down slightly from a 2017 peak of approximately 412,000. Meanwhile, British Sub-Aqua Club membership stood at just under 23,500 in 2023, highlighting a stable core of committed divers.
- PADI has certified 30+ million divers since 1966, accounts for around 80% of certified divers globally, and operates through 6,600 dive centres and resorts across 184 countries.
- Annual certifications through PADI rebounded strongly after COVID-19, rising from 592,047 in 2020 to a record 1,317,383 in 2024, a 43% increase compared with 2019 levels.
- Women now make up around 40% of global scuba certifications, with female participation steadily rising since 2020. In the U.S., the gender split among active divers is 60% male, 39% female, 1% unspecified, and the average diver age is 29.7 years (median 26).
- Scuba Schools International operates in 130+ countries with 3,500 training centres and more than 100,000 professional members, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s largest certification agencies.
- The global dive tourism market was valued at USD 4.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8.34 billion by 2032, with liveaboard trips representing one of the highest-value and fastest-growing segments of dive travel.
How Many People Scuba Dive Worldwide?
According to DEMA, there are approximately six million scuba divers worldwide, with less than half (41.67%) actively diving today. This figure is based on data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which classifies active participants as those who have taken part in a diving activity at least once in the past 12 months.
For scuba diving, SFIA further categorises divers into casual divers (1–7 dives per year) and core divers (8 or more dives per year). [1]
Scuba Diving Participation in the U.S.
The latest data, recorded in 2020, reveal that there were 2.6 million active scuba divers based in the U.S. [1]
Participation has remained relatively steady over the past two decades, generally ranging between 2.5 and 3.3 million. The highest point came in 2015, with an estimated 3.3 million divers. Numbers dipped in 2021, marking the lowest participation rate since 2011, though this is likely linked to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on travel and outdoor recreation. [2]
Scuba Diving Participation in the U.K
The latest available data shows that approximately 365,000 people in the UK participated in sub-aqua diving in 2018. This marked a slight decline from a peak of around 412,000 participants in 2017. Between 2015 and 2018, annual participation remained relatively stable, fluctuating within this range.
These figures include anyone who participated in scuba diving at least once a year, whether through clubs, training centres, or recreational dives. While more recent national participation data hasn’t been published, club-level engagement offers a useful indicator of sustained interest. BSAC membership stood at just under 23,500 in 2023, showing that a core base of committed divers continues to remain active in the UK. [3]
PADI Statistics
PADI is the largest scuba diving organisation in the world, certifying more than 30 million divers since its founding in 1966. Today, eight out of ten certified divers hold a PADI qualification. The organisation operates in 184 countries and territories through a network of over 6,600 dive centres and resorts, supported by more than 128,000 professional members. [4]
Gender Breakdown
In 2024, 40% of all PADI certifications were issued to female divers, continuing a steady rise since 2020. The Asia-Pacific region saw the highest proportion of female certifications, while Europe, the Middle East and Africa recorded the lowest. [4]
Regional Trends
The Asia-Pacific region was the most popular destination for earning a PADI certification in 2024, followed by North America. The USA topped the list of countries for Open-Water certifications, with Thailand, Malaysia, Egypt, and the Philippines also ranking among the top five destinations. [4]
Age Trends
Divers under 30 account for approximately half of all PADI certifications issued annually. This younger demographic represents both entry-level and continuing education courses, showing strong interest in diving as a lifelong activity. [4]
Gender and Age Breakdown of Divers in the U.S.
The most recent demographic survey shows:
- The average age of U.S. divers is 29.7 years, while the median age is 26 years.
- Gender split: Around 60% of U.S. divers are male, 39% are female, and 1% did not specify their gender.
These figures cover active scuba participants in the United States, defined as individuals who have dived at least once within the previous 12 months. They do not represent global demographics, although U.S. data is often used as a reference point. Worldwide patterns can differ, with Asia Pacific showing a younger profile and Europe reporting steady growth in female participation. [1]
SSI Stats
Scuba Schools International (SSI) has been training divers since 1970 and is now one of the world’s largest scuba certification agencies. The organisation operates in more than 150 countries, with over 3,500 training centres and a network of 100,000+ professional members. SSI training materials are available in over 40 languages, covering recreational diving, technical diving, freediving and instructor-level courses.
While SSI does not publish annual certification figures in the same way as PADI, industry estimates suggest they have certified millions of divers worldwide, with a strong market share in Europe and Asia. SSI’s emphasis on digital training tools and flexible learning pathways has helped them expand into emerging dive markets, attracting new divers alongside experienced professionals. [5]
Number of Dive Centers and Resorts Worldwide
Scuba training agencies operate through a global network of affiliated dive centers and resorts. These locations are where divers complete their courses, book trips, and connect with the wider diving community.
- PADI: Operates around 6,600 dive centers and resorts across 184 countries and territories
- SSI (Scuba Schools International): Has approximately 3,500 training centers in 130 countries
Scuba Certifications Over Time
Global certification data from PADI, spanning from 2019 to 2024, reveals the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the scuba industry and its swift recovery. In 2019, over 922,000 certifications were issued worldwide. That figure fell sharply in 2020 to around 592,000, marking the lowest point in modern diving history as international travel ground to a halt.
By 2021, the recovery was already underway, with certifications returning to roughly the same level as 2019. The strongest growth occurred in 2022, when certifications increased by nearly 40% year-over-year, surpassing 1.28 million. Growth continued in 2023 and 2024, with certifications climbing past 1.3 million for the first time.
Taken together, the six-year trend shows an industry that has not only recovered from the pandemic dip but is now expanding beyond pre-2020 levels. From 2019 to 2024, total certifications rose by more than 43%, with much of that growth driven by demand in Asia-Pacific and other emerging dive markets. [4]
Number of Dive Centres and Resorts Worldwide
The global diving industry is supported by thousands of training centres and resorts that serve as gateways for new divers and hubs for local communities. PADI maintains the largest footprint, with around 6,600 affiliated dive centres and resorts operating across 184 countries and territories. SSI operates on a smaller but still substantial scale, with approximately 3,500 training centres in 130 countries.
The distribution of these facilities highlights the global reach of scuba diving. While North America and Europe remain strong markets for both PADI and SSI, growth has accelerated in the Asia-Pacific region, where a younger demographic and coastal tourism are driving demand for certifications and dive travel. [4],[5]
Liveaboard Diving and the Dive Tourism Market
The global dive tourism market was valued at around USD 4.03 billion in 2024, with forecasts suggesting it could more than double to USD 8.34 billion by 2032. Another analysis projects the market will reach USD 6.83 billion by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate above 10%. These figures highlight how diving is shifting from a niche holiday pursuit to one of the fastest-growing areas of adventure travel. [6]
Liveaboards are part of this growth as a distinct yet influential segment. While they do not account for the majority of dive holidays, they often represent the most intensive and highest-value trips. A single liveaboard can generate more revenue than multiple shorter, land-based packages, making them especially significant for local economies in destinations such as the Maldives, Galápagos, and the Red Sea.
Because liveaboards access more remote and challenging sites, they also push divers towards higher levels of training. Many operators require an Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum number of logged dives before boarding. As a result, liveaboards not only fuel tourism income but also increase demand for continuing scuba education worldwide.
Source list
- https://www.dema.org/store/download.aspx?id=7811B097-8882-4707-A160-F999B49614B6&
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/191304/participants-in-scuba-diving-in-the-us-since-2006/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1024584/number-of-individuals-participating-in-leisure-sub-aqua-diving-uk
- https://www.padi.com/sites/default/files/documents/2025-02/
- https://www.divessi.com/en/ssi-international/about-ssi
- https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-diving-tourism-market
