OpenAI Projects 220 Million Paid ChatGPT Users by 2030

OpenAI Projects 220 Million Paid ChatGPT Users by 2030
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OpenAI has projected that by 2030, approximately 220 million users could be paying for access to its ChatGPT service, according to Investing.com. This would represent about 8.5% of total weekly users, placing ChatGPT among the largest subscription-based services globally.

As of July 2025, around 35 million users had subscribed to the service’s paid tiers, including the “Plus” and “Pro” plans. Analysts note that the growth in paying subscribers could significantly expand OpenAI’s revenue potential, with some estimates suggesting annual earnings could reach $20 billion, though high infrastructure and AI research costs remain a consideration.

The rise in paying users is expected to support further development of advanced AI capabilities and the expansion of ChatGPT services. Experts caution, however, that achieving these projections will depend on factors such as user adoption rates, competition from other AI platforms, and ongoing investment in technology infrastructure.

OpenAI’s forecast highlights the growing role of AI-powered tools in both consumer and enterprise markets and underscores the company’s ambitions to maintain a leading position in generative AI globally.