# 2025 *by the* Numbers ##### Continued Audience Growth ![The Tidal Basin in DC at sunset.](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/aside_3x/public/2026-07/by-the-numbers-hero.jpg?itok=qTExcN4W) Getty Images ### 14.7+ Million ##### Visits to Cato Websites Cato’s websites—including Cato​.org, Lib​er​tar​i​an​ism​.org, Human​Progress​.org, and ElCato.org—attract more than 14.7 million visits annually, serving as a vital hub for policy analysis and libertarian ideas. --- ### 1.7+ Million ##### Social Media Followers Cato’s voice in policy debates is amplified through our social media channels on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky. Cato-affiliated accounts garnered 13.1 million video views, 1.6 million interactions, and 3.2 million engagements across all platforms. --- ### 2,500+ ##### Media Appearances Cato experts regularly appear on television, radio, and podcasts throughout the year. The prominent media presence of Cato scholars ensures that a libertarian perspective on current events is heard across the country. --- ### 760+ ##### Op-Eds Published Cato experts play a key role in educating thought leaders, decisionmakers, and the public through hundreds of sharply crafted op-eds in major media outlets. Cato scholars are frequently praised and cited by politicians, pundits, and citizens across the ideological spectrum. --- ### 100+ ##### Studies Cato’s independent, nonpartisan, scholarly work is the foundation of everything we do. Our researchers produce rigorous policy analysis that challenges conventional wisdom and equips policymakers, scholars, and citizens with the ideas that advance liberty. --- ### 75 ##### Interns To fulfill our vision of a freer tomorrow, we empower young leaders and educate them in libertarian thought and public policy through the highly competitive Cato internship program. The most recent summer cohort had more than 1,100 applications and an acceptance rate of 2.3 percent. --- ### 13 ##### Cato Books Cato’s books provide the intellectual foundation for libertarian policy, challenging conventional wisdom and equipping policymakers, scholars, and citizens with the ideas that advance liberty. --- ### 21 ##### Book Forums ### 34 ##### Policy Forums Thousands attended in-person or watched Cato’s policy and book forums online in 2025. --- ### 3+ Million ##### Students Teachers participating in Cato’s educational materials bring Cato’s ideas into their classrooms, fostering meaningful discussions and reaching more than 3 million students nationwide. --- ### 770+ ##### Student Visitors This year, 772 students from 41 different groups from around the country visited Cato headquarters to attend a variety of events geared toward educating and inspiring young people. --- ### 20,000 ##### Educators Cato has built a network of more than 20,000 teachers through the Sphere Education Initiatives, equipping them with training, resources, and lesson plans to restore civic culture in their classrooms. --- ### 42 ##### Testimonies and Statements for the Record Increased investments in Cato’s Government Affairs team put our scholars in front of lawmakers at every level—14 congressional testimonies, 14 state-level testimonies, and 14 federal public comments and statements for the record, plus one testimony before the European Union Parliament and 18 Capitol Hill briefings. --- ### 370 ##### Meetings with State Legislators and Senior Policy Staff Cato is prioritizing state-based solutions. Our scholars educated state legislators on a variety of policy issues facing their constituencies, including energy costs and education. --- ### 290+ ##### Congressional Meetings Cato experts’ ideas and solutions are in high demand. Scholars met more than 290 times with congressional offices and both parties in 2025. --- ### 111 ##### Participants in the Congressional Fellowship Program Cato’s reputation as a trusted nonpartisan voice allows us to reach diverse audiences. The Congressional Fellowship Program engages both Democratic and Republican congressional staff to learn about libertarian policy and find common ground. Since the program began, about 300 congressional staff members have participated. --- --- Continue Reading [![Annual Report Newsroom Cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-07/Jul%208%2C%202026%20at%2004_37_33%20PM%202.png?itok=TXyWgn21)](https://www.cato.org/annualreport25/catos-ideas-every-newsroom) Publications ### [Cato’s Ideas in Every Newsroom](/annualreport25/catos-ideas-every-newsroom) July 10, 2026 Thanks to our Partners, Cato’s independent voice reached more journalists, readers, and policymakers in 2025 than at any point in our history. [![Vision for Liberty Cover v2](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-04/V4L%20Cover.png?itok=p7wg4R6n)](https://www.cato.org/annualreport25/vision-liberty-campaign-expanding-our-ambition) Publications ### [Vision for Liberty Campaign: Expanding Our Ambition](/annualreport25/vision-liberty-campaign-expanding-our-ambition) July 10, 2026 [![Supreme Court against a sunset sky.](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-06/fighting-protectionism.jpg?itok=6MhlUKVj)](https://www.cato.org/annualreport25/fighting-win-against-protectionism) Publications ### [Fighting to Win Against Protectionism](/annualreport25/fighting-win-against-protectionism) July 10, 2026