Online food takeaway market surges to $68.63 by 2033

The report points to smaller cities and towns as the next growth frontier.

The online takeaway food market is projected to be worth $26.6b in 2026 and could grow to $68.63b by 2033, according to estimates from Coherent Market Insights.

The forecast implies an annual growth rate of 14.5% over the period.

The report links the expansion to increasing use of online ordering and delivery services.

Urbanisation, a growing young population, higher disposable incomes, and time constraints are amongst the factors contributing to greater use of food delivery platforms.

Promotional offers, including discounts, deals, and cashback incentives, have also helped drive customer uptake, according to the report.

North America is expected to remain the largest regional market, supported by major delivery platforms including DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. The region is forecast to account for 38.1% of the global online food delivery market in 2026.

Asia-Pacific is expected to record the fastest growth. The report points to rising internet adoption and growing demand for online food ordering in countries such as India and Indonesia.

Delivery platforms, including Swiggy and Zomato, have established large user bases in India, whilst GoFood is a major player in Indonesia.

The report also notes that food delivery platforms are exposing consumers to a wider range of regional cuisines.

Delivery fees remain a challenge for the sector. Additional charges can make takeaway orders more expensive than collecting food directly from restaurants, which may discourage some consumers from using delivery services.

The report identifies expansion into smaller cities and towns as a potential source of future growth.

As urban populations increase, more people are moving to mid-sized urban centres.

Data from the United Nations suggests that around 68% of the global population will live in urban areas by 2050, up from 56% in 2018.

Australia's online food delivery market is expected to maintain steady growth over the coming decade.

According to a 2026 report by IMARC Group, the market was valued at $12.2b in 2025 and is forecast to reach $21.1b by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 6.24% between 2026 and 2034.

The report cites rising smartphone adoption, increasing urbanisation, changing consumer preferences, and the convenience of digital ordering platforms as key factors supporting growth.