The global music report for 2025 is out. Here’s what it says.

The IFPI, the trade group representing the recorded music industry, released its annual report yesterday (March 18). Here is what it said.

• US$31.7 billion was generated by the music industry in 2025. That’s up 6.4% over 2024, a year which saw 4.8% growth. So very good news, then.
• Streaming brought in US$22 billion. Paid subscriptions to DSP rose by 8.8% and ad-supported streaming is up 4.3%,
• The IFPI says that 837 million people pay for streaming. That’s up from 752 million in 2024.
• Physical sales are up 8% to US$5.3 billion, thanks largely to vinyl. It was up 13.7% in 2025.
• The ranking of the biggest music market in the world has changed substantially. T
  • US is still number one
  • Japan (up 8.9%)
  • UK (up 4.8%)
  • China (up one spot from last time with growth of 20.1%)
  • Germany (-1, up 1.7%)
  • France (up 3.7%)
  • South Korea
  • Brazil (+1)
  • Canada (-1, despite growth of 5.6%)
  • Mexico (+2)

For more analysis, go here.