The global recorded music industry continued its upward trajectory in 2025, with revenues climbing 6.4% to reach a record US$31.7 billion, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth, according to the IFPI Global Music Report 2026.
Paid streaming remained the primary engine of expansion, surging 8.8% and accounting for 52.4% of total revenues, with subscription accounts now totaling 837 million worldwide. Overall streaming revenues exceeded US$22 billion, representing 69.6% of the global total.
Physical formats also rebounded, growing 8.0%—largely thanks to a 13.7% increase in vinyl sales, its 19th straight year of gains—while performance rights revenues edged up 0.3% to US$2.9 billion.
Every region posted growth in 2025, with four achieving double-digit increases. Latin America led the way at +17.1%, driven by streaming (88.1% of regional revenues), with Brazil (+14.1%) rising to the world’s 8th-largest market and Mexico (+13.3%) entering the top 10. Asia grew 10.9%, boosted by China’s rapid 20.1% rise (overtaking Germany for 4th globally) and Japan’s return to growth at +8.9%. Sub-Saharan Africa and MENA tied for the second-fastest growth at +15.2% each. In Sub-Saharan Africa, revenues hit US$120 million, with South Africa dominating at 78.1% of the regional share despite a comparatively modest 12.9% increase.
Other regions included Europe (+5.6%), USA & Canada (+3.5%, with the U.S. adding over US$400 million), and Australasia (+1.5%).
The report highlights record companies’ leadership in embracing innovation, particularly through partnerships with AI developers to create licensing models that support artists and foster an ecosystem where technology enhances rather than replaces human creativity. Industry leaders stressed the need for strong copyright protections to sustain progress.
At the same time, the sector faces growing threats from streaming fraud, where artificial streams divert revenues from legitimate creators. IFPI and record companies urged platforms, distributors, and aggregators to implement stronger prevention, detection, and enforcement measures, describing fraud as outright theft.
Angela Ndambuki, IFPI’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the region’s momentum: “This 15.2% growth to US$120 million reflects sustained progress, fueled by investment, the global rise of African artists, and wider adoption of licensed streaming. It’s building a more sustainable music economy, though addressing AI opportunities responsibly and tackling fraud will be key to long-term benefits for creators.”
Victoria Oakley, IFPI CEO, added: “Great music and strategic partnerships are powering unprecedented engagement through paid streaming. Record companies are pioneering responsible AI innovation while calling on policymakers to uphold copyright and on the streaming ecosystem to combat fraud decisively.”
