So Where Does Canada Rank in Terms of World Music Sales?
The numbers are in from the IFPI, the SMERSH of the recorded music industry, and this is how the planet shakes out in terms of music markets in 2013.
1. United States
In 2013, $4.47 billion worth of recorded music was sold in the US, an increase of 0.8%. America accounts for 30% of the world market for recorded music.
2. Japan
For a while, it looked like Japan might overtake the US for the number one spot. Not any more. The Japanese market contracted by 16.7% in 2013 to $3.01 billion.
3. Germany
Germany and the UK keep flip-flopping for third place. It was Germany’s turn in 2013, moving $1.37 billion worth of music, up 1.1% from 2012.
4. UK
Right behind the Germans: $1.30 billion, up 2.2% over the previous year.
5. France
The French saw an increase of 1.3% to $965 million.
6. Australia
Slightly better than us with $430 million, a decline of 8.4%.
7. Canada
Down 2.5% from 2012 to $424 million.
8. Italy
$238 million, up 8.3%
9. Brazil
$228 million, down 1.7%.
10. South Korea
Into the Top 10 for the first time with $211 million (up 9.7%), moving The Netherlands down a notch.
What about China? They’re way down at 21 with music sales totaling just $82.6 million in a country of 1.4 billion people. And that’s down 12.4% from 2012. Think they have a piracy problem?
Overall, global sales were $15.0 billion, down 3.9% from 2012. Blame Japan for most of that.
More info can be found at Billboard.