It is finally time to unveil the results of the annual Global Drone Industry Survey. Based on the most recent, there are a few things that are clear: drones are being used in just about every corner of the globe, the top reason to use drones is safety, and the industry as a whole has become cautiously optimistic about its future (but optimistic nonetheless).

The 7^th annual survey, which took place from May to July of 2024, collected responses from 964 participants across 94 countries. This was a slight decrease in participation from 2023, yet a substantial increase in the number of countries represented. Let’s have a general look at the key insights from the survey, and for the full final results don’t forget to download the Global State of Drones Report 2024.

One of the most striking trends in this year’s report is the increasing global diversification of the drone industry. The number of participating countries rose by 11% (from 85 to 94), and the concentration of responses from the top 10 countries decreased to 56% in 2024. This representation by the top 10 countries is down from 65% in 2023 and 71% in 2022, and it is perhaps one of the more exciting developments. Instead of a few countries dominating the insights, the results this year are more global than ever. This shift also potentially indicates a growing democratization of drone technology, with emerging markets playing an increasingly important role in shaping the industry’s future.

Not surprisingly, however, the United States remains the most represented country, and it is followed by countries in Asia and Europe (India and Spain). Overall, the top 10 list now features countries from 4 out of 6 continents, highlighting the truly global nature of the survey, and of the drone industry itself.

Arguably the most significant finding from the 2024 report is the emphasis on safety as a primary driver for drone adoption. “Improving work safety” emerged as the top reason for adopting drone technology, with 64% of respondents rating it as “very important”. In previous years, it had been difficult to determine a primary reason for drone adoption, but this development represents a recognition of drones as tools for enhancing workplace safety. As many in the industry know, drones can do very arduous and dangerous tasks with incredible efficiency that makes them a no-brainer for ensuring worker safety (in addition to the other benefits).

Regulatory obstacles remain the top challenge for the drone industry in 2024, as they have been since the survey’s inception. However, there have been notable shifts in other areas. Client acquisition has risen to become the second biggest industry challenge, up from fifth place in 2023. Although some may be tempted to read into this as a negative perception of drones by the general public, it is worth mentioning here that Public awareness and acceptance, previously the second most important factor, has fallen to fifth place in 2024.

An intriguing trend revealed in the 2024 report is the increasing importance of local political factors. Domestic politics climbed from fifth to third place in terms of industry challenges, while geopolitics fell from ninth to tenth place. This shift suggests that drone companies are more concerned with navigating local regulations, domestic market conditions, and inherent problems within national politics than international dynamics. Then again, perhaps this is not so surprising in a year with dozens of national elections taking place around the globe.

Expectations and perceived reality have been steadily improving since the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey reveals a score of 6.8 for market expectations in 2024, indicating a positive outlook for the industry. More importantly, it signals that the drone industry continues to show cautious optimism rather than pessimism or unrealistic expectations.

In terms of market-driving factors, rule-making authorities remain the most important, with 57% of respondents considering them crucial (up from 52% in 2023). So although regulations remain a challenge for most, they are also increasingly seen as a market driver as more rules are implemented globally. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge the difference between “necessary regulations being in place” (which is necessary and important) and the process of regulatory approval (which may be slow and inefficient).

As the drone market continues to mature and expand globally, drone company priorities are shifting from public acceptance to client acquisition and scaling operations. Safety has become a paramount concern, driving adoption across various sectors. While challenges persist, particularly in regulation and funding, the overall outlook remains positive, with steady growth expected in the coming years.

The Global State of Drones 2024 white paper paints a picture of an industry in transition. As the drone industry continues to evolve, companies must adapt to these changing dynamics. Success in this new landscape will require a nuanced understanding of global trends combined with the ability to navigate local regulatory environments and market conditions.