What Are the Biggest Music Markets Today?

The biggest music markets in the world are annually tallied by the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry). Looking forward to 2014, music industry moguls and career musicians alike would do well to pay particular attention to album sales in 2012, the trends of which largely determined 2013 markets.

The IFPI’s 2012 report is especially significant as it represents the first time since 1999 that the record industry grew as a whole, rather than declined. This may be construed at least partially as a result of wider and less-expensive independent music distribution, popularized in recent years by companies such as MondoTunes and CDBaby. The results are classified below in three tiers that are typical of contemporary music trends worldwide, plainly reproduced here for the convenience of interested parties.

The largest market in the world, unsurprisingly, was the United States of America at 4.5-billion USD, heading the first tier. Their largest-selling record in 2012 was that of the upstart singer-songwriter and national sweetheart, Adele.

Japan came in a close second with $4.4 billion in sales from records by industry-produced, pop super-groups such as AKB48. Nations following Japan bought considerably fewer music products. The first tier of music markets is therefore comprised solely of Japan and the USA.

The UK’s smaller but highly influential sonic styles worldwide made $1.3 billion, making it the head of the tier-two music markets. It topped out in 2012 with Emeli Sande’s “Our Version of Events,” a critically acclaimed record that has yet to make significant headway in American circles.

Also making $1.3 billion was Germany, led by such stars as Lana del Rey.

The globally popular Shakira, originally from Colombia, helped France bring $907.6 million worth, closing what may be considered the second major tier.

Following France, numbers again drop off significantly, with Australia netting approximately 500-million USD. Australia’s No. 1 album of 2012 was P!nk’s “The Truth About Love.” Australia may be considered the foremost of the tier-three nations in terms of music sales.

At $453.5 million was Canada. Among their most popular records were those by modern folk crews such as Mumford and Sons.

Brazil sold approximately $250 million worth of music, chiefly samba and dance records such as “Sambas de Enredo 2013” by Escolas de Samba (Samba Schools).

Italy sold approx. $217 million, headed by such performers as Carly Rae Jepsen. The Netherlands made almost the same from popular native musicians, as well as from imported stars like the UK’s Birdy.

Numbers may be verified from the official 2012 IFPI website.

-S. McCauley