Great news for the digital music world! The global recorded music industry is still growing, thanks to the rise of streaming platforms. Last year, recorded music made $26.2 billion. Most of this came from subscription-based streaming. This is now the biggest source of revenue, according to a new report by IFPI. Total streaming revenue, including both paid plans and ads, reached $17.5 billion. That is an 11.5% increase compared to the previous year!
This growth happened in every region. Big markets like the US and Japan kept growing. Emerging markets like Brazil and China also saw strong progress. So, where should artists focus their efforts now? Let’s find out the Top 10 music markets and the best places to promote your music today.
The top 10 global music markets
Which countries lead the global music scene? Based on the latest data from IFPI and other sources like RIAA and BPI, the United States still holds the top spot as the most profitable music market. Since music revenues grew across all regions in 2025, let’s take a look at the current Top 10 music markets worldwide.
The United States
The United States remains the biggest music market in the world. With its large population and strong use of platforms like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music, the country made more than $15 billion in music revenue in 2022. Out of this, $13.3 billion came from streaming alone. In 2024, the revenue went up to $17.7 billion. That means streaming made up 84% of the total music income. The U.S. continues to lead the way in digital music growth, thanks to its strong streaming habits and wide user base.
Japan
Japan is the second-largest music market globally and the biggest in Asia. Famous for its unique blend of traditional music, J-pop, and anime soundtracks - Japan has a rich music culture. Although physical formats like CDs still generate most of the revenue, streaming is on the rise. Japan’s streaming sector reached $705 million in 2022. This marks a 25% increase from the previous year. In 2024, the revenue jumped to US$29.6 billion. This showcases that more and more Japanese listeners are shifting to digital platforms. This is also proof that streaming is becoming a significant part of the music scene, alongside traditional music formats.
The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is known for its lively music scene, especially in rock, pop, and electronic genres. It ranks third in the world for music revenue. The British music industry generates about $1 billion annually. Streaming plays a major role in this, making up 67% of the country’s total recorded music revenue. This shows that digital platforms are driving much of the music industry’s growth in the UK. The statistics also reflect a strong shift towards streaming in recent years.
Germany
Germany is the fourth-largest music market globally and the second-largest in Europe. Nearly half of the population now uses streaming services to find and listen to music. Spotify is the leading platform in Germany, followed by Amazon Music and Apple Music. The shift to streaming in Germany shows the growing preference for digital music platforms in the country.
China
China’s music industry is growing rapidly. The country has surpassed France, becoming the fifth-largest music market globally. Recorded music revenues in China rose by 28% last year. This was mostly driven by streaming, which made up nearly 90% of the total. Music streaming platforms like Kanjian and Tencent Music are helping boost China’s competitiveness in the global music market. These services are playing a major role in shaping the country’s music landscape and expanding its influence worldwide.
France
France is the sixth-largest music market in the world, generating $967 million in 2022. According to SNEP, the revenue jumped to $1.12 billion. As in previous years, streaming remains the biggest source of revenue for France’s recorded music industry. The streaming market in France reached $6,731.6 million in 2024, showing a 13% increase compared to previous years. This growth highlights the continued popularity of streaming services in the country and their importance to the music industry.
South Korea
K-pop is one of the most popular music genres today, making South Korea a key player in the global music industry. But South Korea's music scene goes beyond just K-pop. Streaming platforms like Spotify have helped grow the industry, which includes a mix of local music styles such as hip-hop, indie, and R&B. In 2022, the Korean music industry grew by 31.7% compared to the previous year, according to the latest KOCCA report. South Korea's music export value reached over 1.2 billion USD in 2023. In the same year, the music industry in South Korea generated approximately 12.6 trillion South Korean won in sales revenue.
Canada
Canada is the eighth-largest music market globally. In 2022, its music industry grew by 8.2%, surpassing the U.S. in growth. It generated $608 million last year. Together, Canada and the U.S. make up over 41% of the global music market! Streaming is the biggest contributor to Canada's music industry. Subscription-based streaming services alone brought in $380 million last year. In 2024, Canada’s recorded music revenue reached US\$629 million, showing a 6.4% growth compared to the previous year. So, the future of Canada's music market looks promising.
Brazil
Brazil is a key market for music distributors and record labels looking to promote their artists digitally. It is one of the most profitable music markets in the world and the leader in the LATAM region. Streaming is the main driver of revenue, with services like Deezer, YouTube, Amazon Music, and Spotify gaining popularity each year. In the first half of 2024, Brazil's recorded music industry earned R$1.44 billion (around $262 million). This marked a 21% growth compared to the previous year. This rise in revenue was largely fueled by digital formats, with streaming contributing to 99.2% of the total.
Australia
The Australian music market has been growing steadily and plays a big role in the global music scene. Like the other top markets, digital music is now the main way people consume and share music in Australia. Platforms like TikTok, Spotify, and iTunes have helped create new revenue opportunities for Australian artists and music businesses. According to a forecast by Statista, music streaming, the biggest segment in Australia, is expected to reach $350 million in 2025.
Recent data show that the global recorded music industry is thriving. The digital music and audio streaming services are playing a key role in boosting sales and connecting audiences worldwide.
