In the third quarter of 2021, India was the leading country for the highest number of visits to music piracy sites worldwide. The Asian country reported around ****** million visits to music piracy sites. Ranking second was Iran with approximately ***** million visits, followed by the United States of America with nearly *** million visits.

The share of young people accessing music from legal sources in the EU is fairly high according to the 2022 Intellectual Property and Youth Scoreboard. 58 percent of respondents stated that they access music from only or mainly legal legal sources, while only 15 percent say they find music though only or mainly illegal sources. While only 21 percent stated that they access music from a mixture of both legal and illegal sources.

The statistic presents data on the share of music content piracy traffic worldwide in 2017, by device. According to the source, over ** percent of visits to piracy websites worldwide were through mobile devices in 2017.

The statistic presents data on the preferred platform for pirated music worldwide in 2016 and 2017. According to the source, mobile devices (including phones and tablets) accounted for 87 percent of visits to illegal music streaming sites in 2017, an increase from 52 percent in 2016.

According to a global study held in 2019, 23 percent of respondents aged between 16 and 64 years old got their music via stream ripping. Stream ripping is the most common form of online music copyright infringement and involves creating a file from online content which is then downloadable, and 34 percent of Gen Z internet users admitting to using this method to access music illegally. Copyright infringement was also a more common practice among Gen Z consumers than total internet user, with 38 percent getting their music this way compared to 27 percent of the total sample.

In the third quarter of 2020 music piracy sites worldwide displayed around **** billion visits, whilst in the corresponding quarter of 2021 the visits' number rose to approximately **** billion. The second quarter of 2020 presented about ** million visits less than the corresponding quarter in 2021.

The global copyright music market is booming, projected to reach $130 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 10%. Explore key drivers, trends, and challenges shaping this dynamic industry, including the impact of streaming, piracy, and technological advancements. Learn about leading players and regional market shares.

The statistic presents data on the preferred delivery method for pirated music content worldwide in 2017. According to the source, web-streaming sites were the most popular method of accessing pirated music in 2017, with **** billion visits to such websites worldwide in 2017.

40 Years of Music Industry Sales

Data Description:

The record industry has seen a lot of change over the years.

8-tracks took a short-lived run at the dominance of vinyl, cassettes faded away as compact discs took the world by storm, and through it all, the music industry saw its revenue continue to climb. That is, until it was digitally disrupted.

Looking back at four decades of U.S. music industry sales data is a fascinating exercise as it charts not only the rise and fall the record company profits, but seismic shifts in technology and consumer behavior as well. The Long Fade Out

For people of a certain age group, early memories of acquiring new music are inexorably linked to piracy. Going to the store and purchasing a $20 disc wasn’t even a part of the thought process. Napster, the first widely used P2P service, figuratively skipped the needle off the record and ended years of impressive profitability in the recording industry.

In this dataset you can find each year sales and analysis this matter.

Time period covered 1973 - 2019

In March 2019, the number of visits to music piracy websites in Italy decreased significantly. BitTorrent websites experienced the highest decrease, as visits dropped by almost ** percent compared to March 2018. Similarly, visits to stream ripping websites, and cyberlockers went down by ** percent and ** percent, respectively. BitTorrent, also known as BT, is a form of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, enabling users to send and receive files over the internet. Whereas cyberlockers relate to cloud storage services, stream ripping refers to the act of converting files of streaming platforms to illegally download them.

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Recorded Music Market Size 2024-2028

The recorded music market size is valued to increase by USD 38.87 billion, at a CAGR of 20.6% from 2023 to 2028. Increasing preference for on-demand music services will drive the recorded music market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 34% growth during the forecast period.
By Type - Digital segment was valued at USD 10.9 billion in 2022
By segment2 - segment2_1 segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2022

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 277.44 million
Market Future Opportunities: USD 38868.30 million
CAGR from 2023 to 2028 : 20.6%

Market Summary

The market is experiencing a significant shift towards on-demand streaming services, driven by consumers' desire for convenience and access to a vast music library. According to recent studies, streaming now accounts for over half of the recorded music industry's revenue, with traditional sales of CDs and downloads declining. This trend is expected to continue, as more consumers opt for the flexibility and affordability of streaming services. However, the market faces challenges, including the issue of illegal downloads and piracy. These activities not only undermine artists' rights but also impact the industry's revenue. To mitigate these challenges, record labels and streaming platforms are investing in technology and partnerships to improve compliance and operational efficiency.
For instance, some companies are implementing advanced algorithms to detect and prevent piracy, while others are collaborating with rights holders to ensure proper compensation. A real-world example of this is a major record label that optimized its supply chain by integrating its digital and physical distribution channels. By using real-time data analytics, the label was able to forecast demand more accurately, reducing inventory holding costs and improving overall efficiency. This, in turn, led to a 15% increase in revenue and a 20% reduction in error rates. By staying abreast of market trends and investing in technology, the recorded music industry continues to adapt and thrive in the digital age.

What will be the Size of the Recorded Music Market during the forecast period?

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How is the Recorded Music Market Segmented ?

The recorded music industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Type

  Digital
  Physical
  Others


Geography

  North America

    US


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    Japan


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The digital segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market continues to evolve, with streaming services dominating its digital segment. This segment, which includes ad-supported and premium subscription models, experienced significant growth since 2014. As of 2022, over 520 million paid subscribers worldwide utilize music streaming platforms, marking a substantial increase from the 443 million in 2021. The US represents a substantial market for these services. Beyond streaming, various aspects of music production and distribution persistently innovate. These include studio monitoring systems, MIDI controller keyboards, music synchronization licensing, music distribution services, audio plug-in development, and audio mixing techniques. Interactive music formats, virtual instruments plugins, and music licensing agreements also contribute to the market's evolution.

Virtual studio technology, bit depth resolution, mastering software plugins, and metadata tagging standards further shape the landscape. Despite the digital shift, traditional aspects such as acoustic treatment design, sound design techniques, royalty collection systems, and digital rights management remain crucial. Lossless audio compression, high-resolution audio codecs, and dynamic range compression continue to refine the listening experience.

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The Digital segment was valued at USD 10.9 billion in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

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Regional Analysis

APAC is estimated to contribute 34% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

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The European the market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing number of music enthusiasts and the rising demand for recorded music in key countries such as the UK, Germany, and France.This growth c

The Digital Music Observatory has already created open-source software for the music industry that had been tested in real-life policy advocacy and business cases and scientific uses related to piracy research. While developed with a clear music industry focus, they have found thousands of users in the open research community worldwide for other purposes, too. We aim to further improve them to work as as a software ecosystem, and whenever possible, add web-based application interfaces with the ambition to make them useable for music organization that do not possess in-house R&D, IT, or data science capacities.

The datasets contains the download statistics of these packages from CRAN.

Snapshot img

Music Market Size 2025-2029

The music market size is forecast to increase by USD 184.69 billion, at a CAGR of 18.1% between 2024 and 2029.

The digital transformation of the music industry is actively reshaping the global music market, driven by the increasing adoption of digital music platforms. These platforms are altering how consumers access content, shifting listening behaviors toward personalized, on-demand experiences. This evolving landscape is encouraging new business models and expanding opportunities across licensing, distribution, and artist engagement. Strategic alliances and new entrants continue to intensify competition, further accelerating innovation in platform features, pricing strategies, and content curation methods. As players seek competitive advantage, the market is witnessing continual realignment through mergers and acquisitions, reflecting an ongoing effort to consolidate market share and scale offerings.
Despite this momentum, the market faces a persistent challenge illegal downloads and piracy. This issue significantly undermines the revenue potential of legitimate streaming services and complicates efforts to enforce copyright protections. Comparatively, while digital music platform adoption continues to grow steadily, the prevalence of piracy continues to offset gains in monetization. This contrast highlights the need for comprehensive industry collaboration to ensure both secure access and sustainable growth.

Major Market Trends & Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for a 40% share in 2023
The market is expected to grow significantly in North America region as well over the forecast period.
Based on the End-user, the individual segment led the market and was valued at USD 93.42 billion of the global revenue in 2023
Based on the Source the Recording accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 237.19 Bilion
Future Opportunities: USD 184.69 Billion 
CAGR (2024-2029): 18.1%
APAC : Largest market in 2023

What will be the Size of the Music Market during the forecast period?

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The global music market is experiencing continuous evolution driven by innovation across digital rights management (DRM), music recommendation systems, and personalized playlists. As user experience (UX) design and audience engagement metrics reshape how music is consumed and monetized, platforms are integrating immersive audio and interactive music experiences to better align with audience behavior. AI music generation and music discovery tools are also becoming integral, enhancing the efficiency of music recommendation algorithms and enabling dynamic user interaction across streaming services and music licensing platforms. Growth in music technology has introduced loop libraries, sample packs, and advanced plugin development, driving demand for high-performance audio plugins and flexible music software.
Meanwhile, music hardware is evolving to support 3D audio capabilities, further elevating listening experiences. Challenges such as music piracy and music copyright infringement are prompting stronger music licensing agreements and improved music search frameworks. Educational shifts are evident through online music education, while artists increasingly explore global music collaborations and use music visualization tools to engage audiences across digital and live formats.
A major shift is underway as mobile music production, home recording studios, and virtual instruments redefine the creative process, empowering independent creators and expanding access to professional-grade tools. The rise of live streaming concerts, interactive music scores, and virtual concerts reflects growing demand for virtual-first music consumption. Additionally, lossless audio, spatial audio, and high-resolution audio formats are gaining traction, driven by a user base that increasingly values sound fidelity alongside convenience.
Current adoption of digital music distribution systems has expanded by 28.4%, demonstrating a clear preference for platform-based access and convenience over traditional formats. In contrast, growth expectations for digital music licensing are set at 46.7%, indicating a faster acceleration in rights-based monetization relative to distribution infrastructure. This contrast highlights the industry's shift toward more sophisticated rights management and monetization models, reinforcing the need for comprehensive music metadata, streaming analytics, and music data analytics to support licensing, royalties, and copyright enforcement.

How is this Music Industry segmented?

The music industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

End-user

  Individual
  C

Over the five years through 2024-25, industry revenue is expected to hike at a compound annual rate of 1% to reach £2.8 billion. According to UK Music, British music’s global popularity has significantly boosted industry growth, with exports reaching a notable £4 billion in 2022. While exports are not recorded for the industry, this refers to revenue generated from international markets through music sales (including streaming), music publishing (including royalties from British songs), live performances and more. Digital platforms, especially streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, have greatly influenced market performance by becoming primary revenue sources. Despite pandemic-related setbacks, like the dramatic slump in physical media sales, the industry's emphasis on digital and on-demand consumption has prompted resilience and long-term sustainability. Publishers have adapted well to dwindling physical record sales amid flourishing demand for streaming services, which has benefitted the industry. Major record companies have responded to the decline in demand for physical records by expanding and diversifying music catalogues, which has commonly been achieved through acquisitions. The intensifying digitalisation demanded new strategies, as the declining sales of CDs exerted considerable pressure on profit. Despite these challenges, vinyl sales have surprisingly flourished, reaching their highest levels since 1991 and reflecting a nostalgia-driven market segment. The industry seems poised for continued growth powered by technological advancements and evolving consumer behaviours. Streaming platforms are anticipated to cement their position as the primary revenue channels, with publishers gaining from subscription fees and ad revenue. The declining rates of piracy, thanks to improved government policies and anti-piracy technologies, are expected to bolster legitimate digital consumption further. Streaming provides more significant profit than online downloads, which is expected to help counter the effect of dwindling physical record sales. The continued global popularity of British artists is expected to boost royalties and investment. Overall, revenue is forecast to extend at a compound annual rate of 1.9% over the five years through 2029-30 to reach £3.1 billion.

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Music Publishing Market Size 2025-2029

The music publishing market size is forecast to increase by USD 3.82 billion, at a CAGR of 8.4% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is poised for significant growth, driven by the expansion of the global music industry and the burgeoning advertising sector. The music industry's resurgence is fueled by the increasing popularity of digital platforms and the rise of streaming services. Simultaneously, the advertising industry's evolution towards more personalized and engaging content has created a demand for high-quality music in commercials and promotional materials. However, the market faces challenges as well. The lack of clear ownership structures for streaming music and the complexities of integrating music rights into digital platforms pose significant hurdles. These issues require innovative solutions to ensure that content creators and publishers are fairly compensated while maintaining the ease of use and accessibility that consumers demand. Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities must navigate these challenges effectively, fostering collaborative partnerships and employing advanced technology to streamline licensing and royalty management processes. By doing so, they can seize the potential of this dynamic market and contribute to its continued growth.

What will be the Size of the Music Publishing Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
Request Free SampleThe market continues to evolve, shaped by dynamic market forces and technological advancements. Entities such as record labels, music publishers, and independent artists navigate this landscape, engaging in various activities to monetize musical compositions and recordings. Publishing agreements, copyright registration, and licensing agreements form the backbone of this industry, safeguarding compositional elements and securing revenue streams. Digital distribution channels, including streaming services and digital platforms, have revolutionized access to music, leading to new revenue models and creative services. Performance rights, synchronization rights, and mechanical rights are essential components of this market, ensuring artists and publishers receive fair compensation for their work. Music technology, including audio plugins, music editing software, and master recordings, plays a crucial role in the production process. Music therapy, music libraries, and music education are emerging sectors, demonstrating the versatility and reach of music in various applications. Regulations and industry standards, such as data analytics, legal services, and financial services, help maintain order and foster growth. The continuous unfolding of market activities and evolving patterns is evident in areas like sound design, music supervision, and public relations. As technology advances and consumer preferences shift, the market adapts, ensuring its relevance and impact in an ever-changing world.

How is this Music Publishing Industry segmented?

The music publishing industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments. ProductLive performanceDigital MehanicalSynchronizationSynchronizationPrintOthersApplicationCommercialNon-commercialOtherTypeRoyaltiesLicensingSubscriptionAdministrationCatalog AcquisitionAdvancesDirect PublishingGeographyNorth AmericaUSCanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyUKMiddle East and AfricaUAEAPACChinaIndiaJapanSouth AmericaBrazilRest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

The live performance segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.The market is characterized by the integration of various entities, including international copyright treaties, digital distribution, publishing agreements, musical notation, music piracy, time signature, compositional elements, sound design, record labels, copyright registration, copyright infringement, music editing, distribution channels, music technology, public relations, independent artists, music production, music education, music supervisors, sync licensing, music publishers, audio plugins, synchronization rights, master recordings, artist management, streaming royalties, digital platforms, creative services, music therapy, music libraries, key signature, music industry regulations, data analytics, sheet music, musical compositions, mechanical rights, physical media, album artwork, streaming services, legal services, digital audio files, financial services, and licensing agreements. The live performance segment is experiencing notable growth in The market. This expansion is attributed to the escalating number of musicians, artists, and disc jockeys, fueling the growing interes

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global music recording market size was USD 55514.2 million in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.10% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market of more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 22205.68 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a share of over 30% of the global market size of USD 16654.26 million.
Asia Pacific held the market of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 12768.27 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America's market will have more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 2775.71 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa held the major market of around 2% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1110.28 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2024 to 2031.

Key Drivers for Music Recording Market

Increasing Individual Awareness to Increase the Demand Globally:

It is critical to recognize that the music industry is not a single industry but rather a collection of distinct enterprises with varying foundations and assemblies, all of which are intricately linked. The creation and use of intelligent properties based on music form the foundation of the whole music industry. Further, the speedy remodeling of the music business is an example of how an advancement can upend an entire sector and render the talents of the present-day obsolete.

Hence, the capacity to choose between physical distribution channels was the primary factor in the power and influence of the music industry before the Internet. Therefore, physical music delivery is becoming increasingly irrelevant due to the internet; thus, in order for the major music companies to survive, they have had to reinvent themselves.

Technological Progress to Propel Market Growth:

The music industry has expanded globally in a way that has never been seen before. There has never been a more connected global music community, and both musicians and listeners are seizing the opportunity presented by the current era to enjoy and spread the music they love. Since recording companies typically provide funding to musicians, record labels have historically been the main sources of funding for the music industry.

According to IFPI, record labels invest more than USD 5.8 billion in artists each year through combined Artists & Repertoire (A&R) and global marketing. The spike in investments is expected to continue in the next years, propelling the music recording market forward. The market offers greater development opportunities, and in addition to singers capitalizing on the digital generation opportunity, music fundamentals are working to position themselves to support long-term progress and sustainability.

Market Restraints of the Music Recording Market

Music Piracy to Limit the Sales:

Music piracy, or the unauthorized sharing and dissemination of copyrighted music, has plagued the business for decades. In the pre-streaming era, peer-to-peer file-sharing networks like Napster enabled widespread music swapping, resulting in enormous financial losses for artists and record labels. While streaming has reduced piracy, it has not eradicated it. Illegal streaming websites and torrent downloads continue to exist, providing free access to music at the expense of creators and copyright holders.

Piracy has far-reaching consequences for the music industry. On the one hand, it clearly deprives artists and labels of cash that would otherwise have come from legitimate sales. This can limit investment in new talent, music production, and promotion, reducing the quality and diversity of music accessible. Furthermore, piracy distorts market data, making it harder to determine actual fan involvement and preventing artists from receiving fair compensation based on their popularity.

Nonetheless, there is some positive interaction between music piracy and the market. According to some, listening to pirated music might act as a kind of "discovery" for listeners, exposing them to new musicians that they might not have otherwise come across. In the end, this exposure...

The statistic shows the most common reasons for streaming music from illegal sources worldwide in 2017. During the survey, ** percent of respondents stated that they streamed music from illegal sources because of the quality of the sound.

In 2008, a small startup in Sweden set out to tackle a big problem, how to give people easy access to music without turning to piracy. That company was Spotify. Fast forward to 2025, and Spotify isn't just a music platform, it’s a cultural cornerstone. Whether you’re discovering indie artists,...

This statistic shows the value and profit loss from online piracy of the music industry in Spain in 2019. The value of digital music which was estimated to have been lost in Spain in 2019 was *** million euros and the amount of profit lost physically was ** million euros.

In the first quarter of 2019, the number of visits to music piracy websites in Italy dropped by roughly *** percent compared to the previous year. Both desktop and mobile visits recorded almost the same decrease. Overall, the number of visits to websites enabling to download or stream music illegally went down by ** percent in March 2019, compared to March 2018.