The world's largest recorded music markets are listed annually by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). The ranking is based on retail value (rather than units) each market generates respectively 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 in 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. The largest Asian music market, Japan has always[vague] stayed within the top two. The other largest music markets by region include the United Kingdom in Europe, Australia in Oceania, and Brazil in South America. Meanwhile, United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Canada have consistently appeared among the top ten music markets throughout IFPI history. Other countries historically having appeared in the top ten include Italy, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, China, Russia, and Mexico.
IFPI annual data
2023
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital/streaming)
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI Global Music Report 2021.[11]
2019
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital/streaming)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
Streaming
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
2
Japan
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
3
United Kingdom
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
4
Germany
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5
France
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
6
South Korea
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
7
China
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
8
Canada
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
9
Australia
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
10
Brazil
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Global total
20,200
11,400
4,400
1,500
2,600
500
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI Global music report 2020.[12][13]
2018
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital/streaming)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
Streaming
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
2
Japan
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
3
United Kingdom
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
4
Germany
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
5
France
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
6
South Korea
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
7
China
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
8
Australia
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
9
Canada
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
10
Brazil
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Global total
19,100
8,900
4,700
2,300
2,700
400
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI Global music report 2019.[14]
2017
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
5,916.1
15%
75%
7%
3%
2
Japan
2,727.5
72%
21%
5%
1%
3
Germany
1,323.1
43%
36%
20%
1%
4
United Kingdom
1,310.7
30%
50%
18%
2%
5
France
925.1
36%
34%
27%
3%
6
South Korea
494.4
37%
59%
4%
0%
7
Canada
437.2
21%
65%
14%
1%
8
Australia
412.9
19%
68%
11%
2%
9
Brazil
295.8
5%
60%
34%
0%
10
China
292.3
3%
90%
7%
0%
Global total
17,270
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI Global music report 2018.[15]
2016
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
5,318.2
18%
70%
8%
4%
2
Japan
2,745.9
73%
20%
6%
1%
3
United Kingdom
1,251.1
32%
47%
19%
2%
4
Germany
1,212.0
52%
32%
16%
1%
5
France
849.5
38%
30%
29%
3%
6
Canada
367.9
27%
63%
9%
0%
7
Australia
357.2
23%
64%
11%
2%
8
South Korea
330.1
35%
59%
5%
0%
9
Italy
263.7
41%
34%
22%
3%
10
Netherlands
243.3
28%
43%
29%
1%
Global total
15,700
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI Grobal music report 2017.[16]
2015
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
% Change
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
4,997.3
1.0%
23%
66%
7%
4%
2
Japan
2,446.7
3.0%
75%
18%
6%
1%
3
United Kingdom
1,354.0
0.6%
35%
44%
19%
2%
4
Germany
1,309.9
–0.3%
60%
25%
14%
1%
5
France
809.1
–2.2%
42%
25%
29%
4%
6
Australia
342.8
6.1%
29%
57%
12%
2%
7
Canada
335.8
8.3%
35%
52%
11%
2%
8
South Korea
281.3
12.4%
31%
62%
7%
0%
9
Italy
265.5
25.1%
44%
31%
22%
3%
10
Brazil
247.0
–1.8%
25%
38%
37%
0%
Global total
14,800
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI Grobal music report 2016.[17]
2014
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital/streaming)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
% Change
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
4,898.3
2.1%
26%
71%
0%
4%
2
Japan
2,627.9
–5.5%
78%
17%
3%
1%
3
Germany
1,404.8
1.9%
70%
22%
7%
1%
4
United Kingdom
1,334.6
–2.8%
41%
45%
12%
2%
5
France
842.8
–3.4%
57%
27%
13%
3%
6
Australia
376.1
–6.8%
32%
56%
9%
2%
7
Canada
342.5
–11.3%
38%
53%
6%
2%
8
South Korea
265.8
19.2%
38%
58%
3%
1%
9
Brazil
246.5
2.0%
41%
37%
21%
1%
10
Italy
235.2
–4.1%
51%
33%
13%
3%
Global total
14,966
-0.4%
46%
46%
6%
2%
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2014 annual report.[18]
2013
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital/streaming)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
% Change
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
4,473.5
0.8%
30%
60%
6%
4%
2
Japan
3,012.0
–16.7%
80%
16%
3%
1%
3
Germany
1,365.1
1.1%
73%
21%
6%
1%
4
United Kingdom
1,303.5
2.2%
44%
44%
10%
1%
5
France
956.2
1.3%
64%
23%
12%
2%
6
Australia
430.8
–8.4%
37%
54%
7%
2%
7
Canada
424.1
–2.5%
41%
50%
7%
2%
8
Italy
238.8
8.3%
56%
27%
15%
3%
9
Brazil
227.9
–1.7%
54%
34%
12%
1%
10
South Korea
211.3
9.7%
46%
51%
2%
0%
Global total
15,029.5
-3.9%
51%
39%
7%
2%
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2013 annual report.[19]
2012
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital/streaming)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
% Change
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
4,481.8
–0.5%
34%
58%
4%
4%
2
Japan
4,422.0
4%
80%
17%
2%
1%
3
United Kingdom
1,325.8
–6.1%
49%
39%
10%
2%
4
Germany
1,297.9
–4.6%
75%
19%
5%
1%
5
France
907.6
–2.9%
64%
23%
11%
2%
6
Australia
507.4
6.8%
45%
47%
6%
2%
7
Canada
453.5
5.8%
48%
43%
7%
2%
8
Brazil
257.2
8.9%
62%
27%
9%
2%
9
Italy
217.5
–1.8%
62%
27%
9%
2%
10
Netherlands
216.3
–4.7%
58%
27%
14%
1%
Global total
16,480.6
0.2%
57%
35%
6%
2%
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2012 annual report.[20]
2011
Music markets, with total retail value, and format share (physical/digital/streaming)
Rank
Market
Retail value US$ (millions)
% Change
Physical
Digital
Performance rights
Synchronization
1
United States
4,372.9
–0.1%
42%
51%
3%
4%
2
Japan
4,087.7
–7.0%
75%
22%
2%
1%
3
Germany
1,473.7
–0.2%
78%
15%
6%
1%
4
United Kingdom
1,433.7
–3.1%
58%
32%
8%
2%
5
France
1,002.2
–3.7%
71%
19%
8%
2%
6
Australia
475.2
5.7%
55%
38%
5%
2%
7
Canada
434.0
2.6%
54%
38%
4%
4%
8
Netherlands
240.2
–12.1%
71%
14%
15%
0%
9
Italy
239.9
–6.4%
68%
20%
9%
3%
10
Brazil
262.6
8.6%
74%
17%
8%
1%
Global total
16,645.9
-3.0%
61%
31%
6%
2%
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2011 annual report.[20]
2010
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
Albums (millions)
DVDs (millions)
VHS cassettes (millions)
Total units (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
Population (millions)
1
Japan
44.5
114.5
17.5
176.5
4,096.9
126.8
2
United States
1.5
225.8
8.7
0.4
236.4
3,635.2
310.2
3
Germany
6.8
98.7
8.7
114.2
1,713.6
82.3
4
United Kingdom
2.4
99.8
3.5
105.7
1,388.1
62.3
5
France
1.6
48.4
3.3
53.3
999.6
64.8
6
Australia
0.0
24.5
2.6
0.0
27.1
408
21.5
7
Canada
0.2
25.9
2.7
28.8
343.2
33.7
8
Italy
0.1
16
0.6
16.7
275.4
58.1
9
Netherlands
0.5
16.7
2
21.3
270.2
16.8
10
Brazil
0.0
20.7
7.3
28
258.7
201.1
Global total
66.4
933.2
78.1
0.5
1,078.2
16,146.8
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2010 annual report.[21] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
2009
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2009 annual report.[22] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
2008
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2008 annual report, except where noted below.[23] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
^ Ireland's population figure is based on the CIA's 2010 estimation due to the missing information on the IFPI 2008 report.[24]
^ Iceland's population figure is based on the CIA's 2010 estimation due to the missing information on the IFPI 2008 report.[25]
2007
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
Albums (millions)
DVDs (millions)
VHS cassettes (millions)
Total units (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
Population (millions)
1
United States
3.3
511.1
26.6
0.9
542
7,985.6
303.8
2
Japan
57.6
176.5
17.1
0.2
251.4
4,174.5
127.3
3
United Kingdom
11.3
139
5.2
155.5
2,696.4
60.9
4
Germany
10.6
113.3
9.1
133
2,142.2
82.4
5
France
7.9
62.6
4.9
79.95
1,471
64.1
6
Australia
2.6
33.8
4.5
0.001
40.9
564.8
20.6
7
Canada
0.09
40.8
3.3
0.03
44.2
561.8
33.2
8
Italy
0.4
25.5
1.1
0.001
27
493.3
58.1
9
Russia
0.05
75
75
418.8
140.7
10
Netherlands
1
18.8
3
22.8
385
16.6
Global total
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
25,258.4
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2007 annual report, except where noted below.[26] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
^ Croatia's, Venezuela's, Bulgaria's, Iceland's, Uruguay's, Ecuador's and Peru's population figures are based on IFPI 2008 annual report due to the missing information on the IFPI 2007 report.[23]
2006
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
Albums (millions)
DVDs (millions)
VHS cassettes (millions)
Total units (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
Population (millions)
1
United States
2.9
614.9
22.2
0.9
640.9
9,651.4
301.1
2
Japan
63.2
197.5
18.7
0.2
279.6
4,495.2
127.4
3
United Kingdom
19
164.4
7.3
190.7
3,051.1
60.8
4
Germany
15.9
114.4
10.2
0.08
140.5
2,029.1
82.4
5
France
18.3
75.7
5.7
0.002
99.7
1,661.7
63.7
6
Canada
0.2
49.1
3.9
53.2
667.8
33.4
7
Australia
4.6
38.1
4.1
46.8
583.6
20.4
8
Italy
0.7
28.8
1.7
31.2
556.9
58.1
9
Spain
0.8
25.9
2.4
0.1
29.2
464.8
44.4
10
Russia
0.06
72.1
72.1
405
141.4
Global total
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
28,121.0
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2006 annual report, except where noted below.[27] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
^ Venezuela's, Central America's population figures are based on the IFPI 2004 report due to not having the information on IFPI 2006 report.[28]
^ Slovakia's population figure is based on the CIA's 2010 estimation due to not having the information on the IFPI 2008 report.[29]
^ Uruguay's, Ecuador's and Peru's population figures are based on IFPI 2008 report due to not having the information on IFPI 2006 report.[23]
2005
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
Albums (millions)
DVDs (millions)
VHS cassettes (millions)
Total units (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
Population (millions)
1
United States
5
705.4
27.8
6
744.2
11,195
295.7
2
Japan
63.3
211.8
20.1
0.2
295.4
4,883.5
127.4
3
United Kingdom
26.8
172.6
8.3
207.7
3,330.4
60.4
4
Germany
17.8
114.7
9.6
0.7
142.8
2,146.4
82.4
5
France
25.4
96.2
14.7
0.09
136.39
1,940.3
60.7
6
Canada
0.3
52.5
4.2
0.05
56.7
708.3
32.8
7
Italy
1
31.6
1.8
34.4
639.8
58.4
8
Australia
7.8
42
3.8
0.002
53.6
637.7
20.1
9
Spain
1.7
31.1
3.2
0.2
36.2
547.1
40.4
10
Netherlands
2
20.4
4.6
0.001
27
423.1
16.4
Global total
162.0
1,974.9
142.8
7.5
2,287.2
31,595.2
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2005 annual report, except where noted below.[30] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
^ Ukraine's, Colombia's, Venezuela's, Central America's population figures are based on IFPI 2004 annual report due to the missing information on the IFPI 2005 report.[28]
^ Slovakia's population figure is based on the CIA's 2010 estimation due to not having the information on the IFPI 2005 report.[29]
^ Paraguay's population figure is based on the CIA's 2010 estimation due to not having the information on the IFPI 2005 report.[31]
^ Uruguay's, Ecuador's population figures are based on IFPI 2008 annual report due to the missing information on the IFPI 2005 report.[23]
^ Egypt's population figure is based on the CIA's 2010 estimation due to not having the information on the IFPI 2005 report.[32]
2004
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2004 annual report, except where noted below.[28] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
^ Note that the figures in the column of Total units for some markets may be higher than what the combined total from the columns of Singles, CDs, DVD might represent. This is due to the missing sales of Digital Downloads, Cassette Albums and VHS Cassettes which are not included on IFPI 2004 report provided by RIAJ.
^ Note that the figures posted in the column of Total units for some markets may be lower than what the combined total from the columns of Singles, CDs, DVDs might represent. This is because the columns of Singles, CDs, DVDs represent shipped units, whereas the column of Total units represent sold units.
2003
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
LPs (millions)
Cassettes (millions)
CDs (millions)
DVDs (millions)
VHSs (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
Population (millions)
1
United States
12.1
1.5
17.2
746
17.5
1.6
11,847.9
294
2
Japan
86.5
1.4
4
205.8
18.2
1.1
4,909.7
127.7
3
United Kingdom
36.4
2
0.9
233.9
6.4
0.6
3,215.7
59.3
4
France
30.9
1.4
2.5
117.9
6.9
0.5
2,114.7
60.1
5
Germany
26.8
1.1
15.5
146.8
9.0
1.9
2,022.1
82.5
6
Canada
0.9
–
0.4
53.1
4.0
0.8
676
31.5
7
Australia
10
0.05
0.4
52.9
5.1
0.1
673.8
19.7
8
Italy
2.8
0.03
1.3
36.2
1.3
0.05
644.6
57.4
9
Spain
3.8
0.01
1
53.9
1.5
0.008
595.9
41.1
10
Netherlands
3.2
0.2
0.07
24.6
4.8
0.2
498.8
16.1
Global total
232.5
7.3
427.2
2,111.6
105.7
9.4
32,012.2
4,882.7
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2004 annual report, except where noted below.[33] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
2002
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, total retail value, and population of market region
Source: Figures within the table are based on IFPI 2004 annual report, except where noted below.[34] Total units figures are derived by addition of figures reported by referenced sources.
1998
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, and total retail value
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
Cassettes (millions)
CDs (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
1
United States
13,193.4
2
Japan
6,521.0
3
United Kingdom
32.2
175.7
2.855.6
4
Germany
2.832.5
5
France
2.134.8
6
Brazil
1.055.7
7
Canada
11.2
969.3
8
Spain
680.8
9
Australia
606.7
10
Italy
597.7
Global total
458.8
1,300
2,400
38,700
Source: Figures within the table are based on the IFPI annual report and reported by Billboard.[35]
1997
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, and total retail value
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
Cassettes (millions)
CDs (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
1
United States
11,906.0
2
Japan
6,261.7
3
Germany
2,836.8
4
United Kingdom
2,729.7
5
France
2,199.5
6
Brazil
1,199.1
7
Canada
977.5
8
Australia
739.1
9
Netherlands
600.1
10
Spain
599.9
Global total
30,049.3
Source: Figures within the table are based on the IFPI annual report and reported by Billboard.[36]
1996
Music markets, with total units sold in various categories, and total retail value
Rank
Market
Singles (millions)
Cassettes (millions)
CDs (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
1
United States
12,300
2
Japan
6,800
3
Germany
3,200
4
United Kingdom
2,700
5
France
2,300
6
Brazil
1,400
7
Canada
912
8
Australia
815
9
Netherlands
660
10
Italy
637
Global total
461
1,400
2,100
39,800
Source: Figures within the table are based on the IFPI annual report and reported by Billboard.[37]
1991
Global total units sold in various categories, and total retail value
Market
Singles (millions)
LPs (millions)
Cassettes (millions)
CDs (millions)
Retail value US$ (millions)
Global total
320
150
1,100
1,000
25,400
Source: Figures within the table are based on the IFPI annual report and reported by Billboard.[38]
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