Music Industry

Which Countries Have the Music Fans Who Spend the Most on Records? (Hint: NOT Canada)

I’ll cut to the chase: the world’s most valuable music fans are in Norway. Yes, Norway.  Here are some statistics reported by Music Business Worldwide. These numbers represent the average per capita spending on music–that is, the music fans that are spending the most on records. (Note: all figures are in USD.)

  1. Norway: $23.58 per person
  2. UK: $20.81
  3. Japan: $20.64
  4. Sweden: $19.75
  5. Germany: $17.42
  6. Australia: $16.26
  7. USA: $15.36
  8. Austria: $13.56
  9. Switzerland: $13.39
  10. France: $12.76

See Canada in the Top Ten? Me neither. Where are we? For that answer, we have to head to the bottom of the list. These countries spend the least per capita on recorded music.

  1. China: $0.07
  2. India: $0.08
  3. Mexico: $1.07
  4. Brazil: $1.23
  5. Spain: $3.87
  6. Italy: $3.93
  7. South Korea: $5.29
  8. Canada: $9.74
  9. Belgium: $9.93
  10. Netherlands: $12.19

As for the size of the Canadian market, it runs either sixth or seventh in the world, depending on how Australia does. But if these figures are anything to go by, we should be spending much more for a country of our size and wealth.

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 38022 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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