Global recorded music revenues hit $31.7B in record growth
The recording music sector achieved record growth in the first half and second quarter as IFPI reported that 2025 revenues reached $31.7 billion, a six-point-four percent increase year-over-year driven by streaming services which accounted for nearly seventy percent of global income while vinyl sales surged fourteen percent to reach new heights alongside paid subscription users hitting eighty-three-seven million globally according to the Global Music Report released on March 18th marking eleven straight years of industry expansion.
Key Points
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1Global recorded music revenues reached $31.7 billion in 2025 after growing by 6.4% year-over-year, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth.
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2Streaming services accounted for nearly 89 percent (almost two-thirds) and paid subscriptions drove an additional significant portion as users on premium plans surpassed a record high.
Developments
Perspectives
Global recorded music revenues reached USD $31.7 billion in 2025, representing a year-over-year growth of 6.4% and marking the eleventh consecutive year of industry expansion.
— [Mar 19, 20:01] IFPIStreaming services accounted for nearly seven-tenths (70%) of global music income in recent years according to new data released by representatives from recording industries worldwide.
— [Mar 18, 14:53]? [Standard.co.uk]Despite the dominance of digital streaming platforms which generated approximately $22 billion globally last year there has been a notable resurgence with vinyl sales increasing revenue streams for record labels by fourteen percent in comparison to previous periods.
— [Mar 18, 09:43]? [Standard.co.uk]The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) released its Global Music Report today highlighting that paid music subscription users have reached a total count exceeding eight hundred and thirty-seven million individuals across all regions.
— [Mar 18,09:43]? [Mediagazer]Global recorded music revenues reached $31.7 billion in 2025 after rising by 6.4%, driven primarily by streaming which accounted for nearly two-thirds of total income and physical formats that grew alongside a record vinyl sales surge led Latin America as the fastest-growing region, while AI offers innovation opportunities amidst growing threats from industry fraud according to an IFPI report identifying Japan's market behind only those in US
Global paid streaming revenues reached $30 billion in Q4 of this year (QoY), while total global revenue grew by approximately six percent to reach over thirty-one point seven billions. The IFPI reported that physical formats also returned growth with vinyl up thirteen-point-seven points, and urged policymakers for copyright protection as well industry action against streaming frauds.