Music Industry

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.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38011 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

Let us know what you think!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.