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List of largest recorded music markets
None
None
The world's largest recorded music markets are listed annually by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). The ranking is based on the retail value (rather than units) each market generates per year; retail value generated by each market varies from year to year. As all financial data is given in US dollars, annual rates of change for all countries other than the United States are heavily influenced by exchange rate fluctuations, as well as by actual changes in revenue in local currency terms.
The information presented on this page only accounts for revenue generated from the recorded music industry (recorded music and auxiliary revenues generated by these recordings), and is not reflective of the entirety of the music industry, including sectors such as publishing, live music, etc.
The United States has remained the biggest market for recorded music in IFPI history, except in 2010 when Japan topped the list. Japan has always stayed within the top two, while the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada have consistently appeared among the top ten music markets throughout IFPI history. Other countries historically having appeared in the top ten include Australia, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, China, Mexico, and Russia.
IFPI annual data
2020–2024
| Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | United States | Japan | United Kingdom | Germany | France | South Korea | China | Canada | Australia | Netherlands | Italy | Brazil | Mexico | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | n/a | 2 | n/a | 2 | n/a | 2 | n/a | 2 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | n/a | 3 | n/a | 3 | n/a | 3 | n/a | 3 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | n/a | 4 | n/a | 4 | n/a | 4 | n/a | 4 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | n/a | 5 | n/a | 6 | n/a | 6 | n/a | 6 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | n/a | 6 | n/a | 5 | n/a | 5 | n/a | 5 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | n/a | 8 | n/a | 8 | n/a | 8 | n/a | 8 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | n/a | 9 | n/a | 10 | n/a | 10 | n/a | Out | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | n/a | Out | Out | Out | Out | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Out | 10 | n/a | Out | Out | Out | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Out | Out | 9 | n/a | 9 | n/a | 9 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Out | Out | Out | Out | 10 | n/a |
2015–2019
| Country | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | United States | Japan | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Australia | Canada | South Korea | Italy | Brazil | Netherlands | China | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 4,997.3 | 1 | 5,318.2 | 1 | 5,916.1 | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2,446.7 | 2 | 2,745.9 | 2 | 2,727.5 | 2 | n/a | 2 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1,354.0 | 3 | 1,251.1 | 4 | 1,310.7 | 3 | n/a | 3 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 1,309.9 | 4 | 1,212.0 | 3 | 1,323.1 | 4 | n/a | 4 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 809.1 | 5 | 849.5 | 5 | 925.1 | 5 | n/a | 5 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 342.8 | 7 | 357.2 | 8 | 412.9 | 8 | n/a | 9 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 335.8 | 6 | 367.9 | 7 | 437.2 | 9 | n/a | 8 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 281.3 | 8 | 330.1 | 6 | 494.4 | 6 | n/a | 6 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 265.5 | 9 | 263.7 | Out | Out | Out | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 247.0 | Out | 9 | 295.8 | 10 | n/a | 10 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| Out | 10 | 243.3 | Out | Out | Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Out | Out | 10 | 292.3 | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a |
2010–2014
| Country | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Japan | United States | Germany | United Kingdom | France | Australia | Canada | Italy | Netherlands | Brazil | South Korea | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 4,096.9 | 2 | 4,087.7 | 2 | 4,422.0 | 2 | 3,012.0 | 2 | 2,627.9 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3,635.2 | 1 | 4,372.9 | 1 | 4,481.8 | 1 | 4,473.5 | 1 | 4,898.3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1,713.6 | 3 | 1,473.7 | 4 | 1,297.9 | 3 | 1,365.1 | 3 | 1,404.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 1,388.1 | 4 | 1,433.7 | 3 | 1,325.8 | 4 | 1,303.5 | 4 | 1,334.6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 999.6 | 5 | 1,002.2 | 5 | 907.6 | 5 | 956.2 | 5 | 842.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 408 | 6 | 475.2 | 6 | 507.4 | 6 | 430.8 | 6 | 376.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 343.2 | 7 | 434.0 | 7 | 453.5 | 7 | 424.1 | 7 | 342.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 275.4 | 9 | 239.9 | 9 | 217.5 | 8 | 238.8 | 10 | 235.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 270.2 | 8 | 240.2 | 10 | 216.3 | Out | Out | |||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 258.7 | 10 | 262.6 | 8 | 257.2 | 9 | 227.9 | 9 | 246.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Out | Out | Out | 10 | 211.3 | 8 | 265.8 |
2005–2009
In 2006, Russia entered the top ten for the first time, staying for three years, with the highest rank at number 9 in both 2007 and 2008.
| Country | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | United States | Japan | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Canada | Italy | Australia | Spain | Netherlands | Russia | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 11,195 | 1 | 9,651.4 | 1 | 7,985.6 | 1 | 5,977.4 | 1 | 4,562 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 4,883.5 | 2 | 4,495.2 | 2 | 4,174.5 | 2 | 5,171.1 | 2 | 4,244.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3,330.4 | 3 | 3,051.1 | 3 | 2,696.4 | 4 | 2,274.9 | 4 | 1,730.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 2,146.4 | 4 | 2,029.1 | 4 | 2,142.2 | 3 | 2,370 | 3 | 1,945.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 1,940.3 | 5 | 1,661.7 | 5 | 1,471 | 5 | 1,342.5 | 5 | 1,157.5 | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 708.3 | 6 | 667.8 | 7 | 561.8 | 7 | 530 | 7 | 401.6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 639.8 | 8 | 556.9 | 8 | 493.3 | 8 | 427 | 9 | 293.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 637.7 | 7 | 583.6 | 6 | 564.8 | 6 | 555.3 | 6 | 456.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 547.1 | 9 | 464.8 | Out | 10 | 374.3 | 10 | 266.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 423.1 | Out | 10 | 385 | Out | 8 | 340.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Out | 10 | 405 | 9 | 418.8 | 9 | 395.2 | Out |
2000–2004
| Country | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | United States | Japan | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Canada | Brazil | Mexico | Spain | Australia | Italy | Netherlands | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 14,042.0 | 1 | 13,411 | 1 | 12,325.7 | 1 | 11,847.9 | 1 | 12,153.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 6,496.9 | 2 | 5,253 | 2 | 4,593.3 | 2 | 4,909.7 | 2 | 5,167.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2,828.7 | 3 | 2,808 | 3 | 2,859.4 | 3 | 3,215.7 | 3 | 3,508.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 2,420.6 | 4 | 2,128 | 5 | 1,988.0 | 5 | 2,022.1 | 4 | 2,149 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 1,694.7 | 5 | 1,828 | 4 | 1,989.7 | 4 | 2,114.7 | 5 | 1,979.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 819.3 | 6 | 659 | 6 | 587.9 | 6 | 676 | 7 | 693.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 724.7 | Out | Out | Out | Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 665.9 | 8 | 565 | 10 | 445.5 | Out | Out | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 562.9 | 7 | 613 | 8 | 542.3 | 9 | 595.9 | 9 | 572.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 561.3 | 10 | 522 | 9 | 499.9 | 7 | 673.8 | 6 | 716.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Out | 9 | 524 | 7 | 554.7 | 8 | 644.6 | 8 | 652.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Out | Out | Out | 10 | 498.8 | 10 | 507.7 |
1995–1999
This period saw an all-time peak of Brazil's music industry, reaching retail sales of $1.4 billion in 1996 (equivalent to $ in ). In 1998, the UK surpassed Germany for the first time as the world's third largest music market.
| Country | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999https://web.archive.org/web/20250708043939/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2000/BB-2000-04-29.pdf#page=10 | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | United States | Japan | Germany | United Kingdom | France | Brazil | Canada | Australia | Netherlands | Italy | Spain | Mexico | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 12,100 | 1 | 12,300 | 1 | 11,906.0 | 1 | 13,193.4 | 1 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 7,500 | 2 | 6,800 | 2 | 6,261.7 | 2 | 6,521.0 | 2 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3,200 | 3 | 3,200 | 3 | 2,836.8 | 4 | 2,832.5 | 4 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 2,500 | 4 | 2,700 | 4 | 2,729.7 | 3 | 2,855.6 | 3 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 2,300 | 5 | 2,300 | 5 | 2,199.5 | 5 | 2,134.8 | 5 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unavailable | 6 | 1,400 | 6 | 1,199.1 | 6 | 1,055.7 | 7 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 912 | 7 | 977.5 | 7 | 969.3 | 6 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 815 | 8 | 739.1 | 9 | 606.7 | 8 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||
| n/a | 716.5 | 9 | 660 | 9 | 600.1 | Out | Out | ||||||||||||||||||||
| n/a | 582.7 | 10 | 637 | Out | 10 | 597.7 | Out | ||||||||||||||||||||
| n/a | 557.3 | Out | 10 | 599.9 | 8 | 680.8 | 9 | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unavailable | Out | Out | Out | 10 | n/a |
1990–1994
| Country | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | Rank | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | Rank | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ million) | United States | Japan | Germany | United Kingdom | France | Canada | Italy | Netherlands | Spain | Australia | Mexico | Brazil | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 7,541.1 | Unavailable | 1 | 8,866.6 | 1 | 9,833.1 | 1 | 11,836.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2,981.8 | 2 | 4,328.5 | 2 | 5,082.4 | 2 | 5,933.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2,273.9 | 3 | 2,636.9 | 3 | 2,690.7 | 3 | 2,876.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 2,117.5 | 4 | 1,998.2 | 4 | 1,976.0 | 4 | 2,366.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 1,665.8 | 5 | 1,935.4 | 5 | 1,848.6 | 5 | 1,923.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unavailable | 6 | 861.7 | 6 | 896.8 | 6 | 975.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 653.8 | Out | Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 647.4 | 7 | 618.8 | 9 | 629.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 586.7 | 10 | 493.7 | Out | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 492.4 | 9 | 545.6 | 10 | 598.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Out | 8 | 572.8 | 8 | 673.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Out | Out | 7 | 782.5 |
Statistics
| Country | Geographical | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| region | Top 10 appearances | ||||||||||||||||||
| (number of years) | Latest year | ||||||||||||||||||
| in the top 10 | Highest | ||||||||||||||||||
| rank | United States | Japan | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Canada | Australia | Italy | Brazil | Netherlands | Spain | South Korea | China | Mexico | Russia | ||||
| North America | 34 | 2024 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Asia | 34 | 2024 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 34 | 2024 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 34 | 2024 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 34 | 2024 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| North America | 32 | 2024 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| Oceania | 31 | 2023 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 20 | 2021 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| South America | 18 | 2024 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 15 | 2020 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| Europe | 14 | 2009 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| Asia | 12 | 2024 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| Asia | 8 | 2024 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| North America | 7 | 2024 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||
| Europe / Asia | 3 | 2008 | 9 |
References
References
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2021".
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2022".
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2023".
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2024". International Federation of Phonographic Industry.
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2025". International Federation of Phonographic Industry.
- "RIAJ Yearbook 2016: IFPI Global Music Report 2016 (Page 5)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ Yearbook 2017: IFPI Global Music Report 2017 (Page 5)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ Yearbook 2018: IFPI Global Music Report 2018 (Page 4)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2019 - State Of The Industry".
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2020 - The Industry In 2019".
- "IFPI Global Music Report 2020: Music Revenues Rise for Fifth Straight Year to $20 Billion".
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2012, IFPI 2010 Report: 31. Global Sales of Recorded Music by Country in 2010 (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ Yearbook 2013: IFPI 2011, 2012 Report: 29. Global Sales of Recorded Music (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ Yearbook 2014: IFPI 2012, 2013 Report: 28. Global Sales of Recorded Music (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ Yearbook 2015: IFPI 2013, 2014. Global Sales of Recorded Music (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2007, IFPI 2005 Report (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2008, IFPI 2006 Report (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2009, IFPI 2007 Report (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2010, IFPI 2008 Report (Page 24)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2011, IFPI 2009 Report: 33. Global Sales of Recorded Music by Country in 2009 (Page 23)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- (5 May 2001). "Billboard".
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250220174336/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2002/MM-2002-04-27.pdf#page=9
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2004, IFPI 2002 Report (Page 23)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2005, IFPI 2003 Report (Page 22)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- "RIAJ: Yearbook 2006, IFPI 2004 Report (Page 23)". [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]].
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250226191300/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-05-11.pdf#page=4
- White, Adam. (10 May 1997). "IFPI Stats Show Top 10 Markets Were Flat in '96".
- Clark-Meads, Jeff. (9 May 1998). "Domestic Push Seen as a Cure for '97's Flat Global Sales".
- (8 May 1999). "U.S., U.K. shine in '98 IFPI stats".
- "U.S. Still Buys the Most Music".
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250706083353/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-10-12.pdf#page=4
- (4 January 2002). "The Global Jukebox: The International Music Industry". Routledge.
- (14 May 1994). "Billboard".
- "Report: Global music sales soaring - UPI Archives".
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