UK Music Sales Hit £2.39 Billion Record
UK music sales reached a record-breaking £2.39 billion in 2024, driven by vinyl's resurgence and streaming subscriptions.
The UK music industry achieved an extraordinary milestone in 2024, with total sales hitting a record-breaking £2.39 billion, as reported by the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA). This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous peak of £2.22 billion set during the CD era in 2001.
Streaming and Vinyl Drive Revenue Growth
The surge in music sales can be attributed to two key factors: the continued dominance of streaming services and the resurgence of vinyl records. Subscription platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Apple Music accounted for nearly 85% of the total revenue, showcasing the growing preference for digital music consumption.
Vinyl sales also played a pivotal role, soaring by an impressive 10.5% to reach £196 million. Among the top-selling vinyl records of the year were Taylor Swift‘s The Tortured Poet’s Department and Oasis‘ iconic debut album Definitely Maybe. Other notable entries included Sabrina Carpenter‘s Short ‘N Sweet and Charli XCX‘s BRAT.
Physical Sales Decline Amid Streaming Boom
Despite vinyl’s growth, physical music formats contributed just 13.8% of the overall retail revenue, totaling £330.1 million. This highlights a continued shift in consumer preferences toward digital platforms.
Record-Breaking Consumption Levels
ERA data revealed that music consumption in the UK reached the equivalent of 201.4 million albums in 2024, driven largely by streaming. Streaming alone generated the equivalent of 178 million albums, eclipsing the previous high of 172 million in 2004.
The Official Charts Company reported that Noah Kahan‘s Stick Season emerged as the UK’s top single of the year, amassing an impressive 1.99 million equivalent sales.
a Triumphant Year For Music
Reflecting on the year’s achievements, ERA CEO Kim Bayley commented:
“2024 was a banner year for music, with streaming and vinyl taking the sector to all-time-high records in both value and volume. This is the stunning culmination of music’s comeback, which has seen sales more than double since their low point in 2013. We can now say definitively – music is back.“
The Future of UK Music
With streaming services leading the charge and vinyl’s continued revival, the UK music industry has firmly established itself as a cultural and economic powerhouse. As consumption patterns evolve, the sector remains well-positioned to embrace emerging trends and deliver unparalleled value to music enthusiasts worldwide.
