Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €4.6bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
The main driver of sales in the music industry is audio streaming
- Audio streaming has become the dominant business model in the German music industry. According to the Music Industry in Figures 2024 study by the German Music Industry Association, audio streaming accounted for 78.1% of the industry's total sales in 2024. This format recorded sales growth of 12.6% compared to the previous year. The number of streaming views reached a new high of 236.1 billion, an increase of 11% compared to 2023.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
AI-supported analyses are increasingly part of music companies' marketing strategies
- AI algorithms analyse the listening behaviour, preferences and even the activities or moods of users. Streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music use AI technologies to create individual music recommendations and customised playlists. When the platforms suggest targeted songs and albums that precisely match a person's preferences and daily routine, the length of stay and the likelihood of subscriptions increase. This creates a unique listening experience that goes beyond traditional recommendations and facilitates access to previously unknown music.
Biggest companies in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Universal Music GmbH | 462.8 | |
Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH | 365.8 | |
Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH | 214.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Pop music, Hip-Hop and Rock music. Pop music is the largest segment of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Pop music has always been very relevant for the industry and is likely to remain so in the future
- In comparison, content from the pop music sector accounts for the highest share of industry sales. Its musical spectrum is broadly diversified. For example, it includes dance pop, which combines pop music with electronic dance music. German-language pop music also accounts for a growing, albeit still small, proportion of sales generated in this segment. The majority of sales in this segment are generated with non-German-language - mainly English-language - music.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry deals with the publishing of music, recorded audio media such as music CDs or audiobooks and recordings stored in non-physical form for the purpose of downloading or streaming. In addition, the companies operate recording studios for recording music and audio works. The industry thus covers both the production and distribution of audio content, but not the reproduction of recorded media.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany include Pop music, Hip-Hop, Rock music and Children's products.Companies
Companies covered in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany include Universal Music GmbH, Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH and Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH.Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany include audiostreaming, ghostwriter, dance-pop and musicals.Industry Code
WZ 59.20 - Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Audio streaming is the most important revenue driver for the German music industry. The business model shifts the focus from physical sound carriers to regular sales through ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Hip-hop has become much more important for the industry in the last ten years. The genre has replaced rock music as the second-highest-selling segment in recent years.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
North Rhine-Westphalia accounts for the largest share of industry companies in the Central Region. The location near the media city of Cologne is particularly advantageous fo...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Music publishers are faced with intense internal competition, as new market players are constantly flooding into the industry. The resulting price erosion is causing companie...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Sony Music is consistently committed to protecting creative works in the age of artificial intelligence . The company is removing thousands of AI-generated representations an...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Universal Music GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Universal Music GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry benefits indirectly from the intensive public and private promotion of music in the form of music events, competitions and artist promotion. This increases the p...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The profit margin in the music industry is largely determined by efficient cost management and licence structures. As audio streaming is based on fixed subscription fees, pri...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany in 2025?
The market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany is €4.6bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany in 2025?
There are 2,355 businesses in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany?
The Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany?
The Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany are Universal Music GmbH, Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH and Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH
What does the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany include?
Pop music and Hip-Hop are part of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany is Universal Music GmbH.
How competitive is the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
