Top +15 API Statistics for Understanding API Landscape ['25]

APIs can integrate with new technologies such as IoT and chatbots. We cover 17 API-related statistics to provide a comprehensive picture of the trends and landscape of APIs. 

General API statistics 

1. The fastest-growing type of data in 2021 was API data which grew by more than 20% (see Figure 1). ( Cloudflare) 

Figure 1. Growth of different data types

Source: Cloudflare

2. POST method is the most common method used in APIs, with more than 50%, followed by GET method, with almost 45%. (Cloudflare)
3. More than 90% of executives indicate APIs as mission-critical. (Rapid API)
4. API brokerage has been experienced by almost 40% of users. (Statista ) 
5. The market capitalization of companies that have adopted APIs has grown by more than 12% compared to those that have not adopted APIs. (Forbes)
6. Almost 50% of responders indicate :

• Platform or system integrations,
• Development efficiencies and/or standardization 

as the main factors behind adopting APIs in their organization( see Figure 2). ( Salt) 

Figure 2. The main factors behind using APIs in organizations

Source: Salt

API Security 

7. 94% of responders to a survey indicated that they had experienced API security problems ( see Figure 3). (Salt)

Figure 3. Security problems faced in API production 

Source: Salt

8. More than 50% of companies have postponed the release of a new API due to security concerns. (Salt)
9. Only 11% of companies have a plan for API security, including specialized API testing and protection. (Salt)

API statistics in industries 

Finance 

12. More than 1 billion API calls were made in May 2022 to open banking APIs. (Open Banking)
13. The number of API calls made by the financial sector experienced a 125% growth in 2020. (Google Cloud)
14. The number of APIs deployed in the banking sector is anticipated to increase by 100% from 2022 to 2027. (McKinsey)
15. 48% of FinTech companies indicate API security as a top concern in API utilization. (FinTech Future) 

Retail 

16. The retail and travel industry had the most API calls made in 2020, with 34%. (Google Cloud)
17. More than 50% of retailers have indicated that APIs accelerate innovation, and 36% indicated that APIs are a strategic asset that can create business value. (Google Cloud)

Further Reading

Many industries have adopted APIs to increase their digital transformation, such as:

• Finance,
• Health care,
• Retail

Follow the each link to read more about them.