The music industry in 2025 continues to be dominated by streaming platforms, with IFPI’s 2025 Global Music Report revealing that streaming now accounts for a staggering 69% of global recorded music revenue, surpassing $204 billion for the first time in history 7. This marks a 7.3% growth from 2024, cementing streaming’s position as the primary mode of music consumption worldwide. The report highlights that paid subscriptions are driving this growth, with a 9.5% increase in revenue and a 10.6% rise in global subscribers, reaching 752 million 7.
Interestingly, while streaming dominates, vinyl records have shown remarkable resilience, enjoying their 18th consecutive year of growth with a 4.6% revenue increase in 2024 7. This suggests that even in our digital age, physical formats maintain niche appeal among audiophiles and collectors. Meanwhile, CD sales continue their decline, dropping 6.1%, and digital downloads fell by 7.7%, now representing just 2.8% of total industry revenue 7.
Regional growth patterns reveal fascinating insights:
- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) lead with 22.8% growth
- Sub-Saharan Africa follows closely at 22.6%
- Latin America shows 22.5% expansion 7
China maintains its position as the world’s fifth-largest music market, growing at 9.6%, while the US remains the global leader despite a more modest 2.2% increase 7. The report specifically highlights Chinese Z-generation artist Huang Zihongfan as an emerging talent, noting his 29 music festival appearances in 2024 and the platinum certification of his debut physical album 7.
Apple Music’s introduction of “Replay 2025” exemplifies how streaming platforms are enhancing user experience through personalized data. This weekly-updated feature tracks listeners’ top 100 songs throughout the year, offering insights into listening habits and musical preferences 11. Such innovations demonstrate how streaming services are evolving beyond mere content delivery to become comprehensive music discovery and memory platforms.