GLOBAL MUSIC REPORT 2026: GLOBAL RECORDED MUSIC REVENUES GROW 6.4% AS RECORD COMPANIES DRIVE INNOVATION

Global recorded music revenues reached $31.7 billion in 2025, marking an 11th consecutive year of growth with a 6.4% increase. This expansion was primarily driven by paid streaming services, which now account for over half of all global revenue and serve 837 million subscription users. The industry's continued upward trajectory underscores the success of record company investments and global artist partnerships even as the sector navigates technological shifts like generative AI and systemic threats such as streaming fraud.

According to the IFPI Global Music Report 2026, every global region experienced revenue growth in 2025, with four regions posting double-digit gains. Paid streaming remains the dominant force, growing by 8.8% to represent 52.4% of the total market. Latin America led the world in regional growth at 17.1%, while Asia saw a significant 10.9% increase, highlighted by China overtaking Germany to become the world's fourth-largest music market. The United States remains the single largest market globally, contributing to a 3.5% overall increase for the North American region, while Canada saw a 5.6% increase despite dropping to the ninth largest market.

The report highlights the industry's proactive stance on generative AI, with record companies actively developing music licensing models intended to foster an ecosystem where human artistry and technology coexist. IFPI emphasizes that these partnerships aim to enhance rather than replace creativity, provided that copyright laws—the bedrock of the industry—are upheld by policymakers. This focus on innovation is paired with a call for the entire music community to address streaming fraud, which the IFPI characterizes as theft that siphons revenue away from legitimate creators through manipulated or fake content. The organization is calling for proactive steps from every stage of the streaming value chain, including distributors and aggregators, to detect and prevent these fraudulent activities.

Notable market shifts occurred within the global rankings as Japan returned to growth at 8.9% and Brazil climbed to the eighth position following a 14.1% revenue jump. Europe maintained its status as the second-largest region, growing by 5.6% with strong performances in the UK (+4.8%), Germany (+1.7%), and France (+3.7%). Meanwhile, the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Sub-Saharan Africa both recorded 15.2% growth, though they remain heavily reliant on streaming, which accounts for 97.5% of revenues in the MENA region. These figures, drawn directly from record company data, reflect a highly connected global market that continues to adapt to cultural and technological transformations while delivering financial returns for artists.