Streaming generated more than $22 billion—about 70% of total industry revenue—with paid subscription services alone increasing 8.8% and accounting for 52.4% of overall income. The report also noted that paid streaming subscriptions reached 837 million users worldwide.
Beyond digital growth, physical formats rebounded, with revenues up 8%. Vinyl sales continued their long-running resurgence, rising 13.7% for a 19th straight year.
IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley credited strong artist output and industry investment for the sustained growth, while emphasizing the role of technology partnerships, including those involving generative AI, in supporting creativity.
At the same time, Oakley urged policymakers to uphold copyright protections and called on industry players to combat streaming fraud, describing it as “theft” that requires decisive action from platforms, distributors and aggregators.
The report did not disclose how much revenue is passed on to artists. Separately, Taylor Swift was named 2025’s best-selling global artist, marking her sixth time earning the distinction, following the success of her album The Life of a Showgirl.