Latin America continued its remarkable upward trajectory, marking its 16th consecutive year of growth in the music industry. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Global Music Report 2026, the region grew by 17.1% in 2025, largely driven by streaming, which accounted for a dominant 88.1% of recorded music revenues. Major markets within the region delivered strong performances: Brazil grew by 14.1%, climbing to become the world’s 8th largest recorded music market, while Mexico rose by 13.3%, securing its place as the 10th largest globally.
The IFPI Global Music Report 2026 highlights strong global momentum in recorded music, revealing that every region experienced revenue growth. Notably, four regions achieved double-digit increases.
Dennis Kooker, President of Global Digital Business at Sony Music Entertainment, noted that while growth in established regions is stabilizing, new opportunities are emerging through increased paid streaming adoption and innovative revenue streams such as AI, gaming, and direct-to-consumer platforms. He emphasized that future subscriber growth will increasingly come from regions like Latin America, which are now at the forefront of introducing new artists and music to the global stage.
Beyond Latin America, the United States and Canada—the world’s largest recorded music region—grew revenues by 3.5%, accounting for 38.7% of global revenues and contributing over $400 million in additional value. The United States alone grew by 3.3%, while Canada saw a stronger 5.6% increase.
Europe maintained its position as the second-largest region, with revenues rising by 5.6% and contributing 30.4% of global revenues. Key markets including the UK (+4.8%), Germany (+1.7%), and France (+3.7%) all posted growth.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region stood out as one of the fastest-growing areas, with revenues increasing by 15.2%. Streaming continued to dominate, accounting for an overwhelming 97.5% of total revenues.
Asia also delivered strong performance, achieving double-digit growth of 10.9%. The region remained the global leader in physical music revenues, contributing 45.1% of the total. Japan returned to growth (+8.9%), while China surged ahead with a 20.1% increase, becoming the fourth-largest global market.
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded a 15.2% rise in revenues, reaching $120 million. South Africa remained the region’s largest market, accounting for 78.1% of revenues following a 12.9% increase.
In contrast, Australasia experienced more modest growth of 1.5%, with total revenues reaching $623 million. Australia grew by 1.2% but slipped to 13th place globally, while New Zealand posted a 3.0% increase and contributed 15.2% of the region’s revenues.
Industry voices continue to highlight the global interconnectedness of music. Adam Granite, CEO of AMEA at Universal Music Group, observed that it has never been easier for artists to reach audiences across borders, describing the modern music landscape as a “two-way street.” Meanwhile, Simon Robson of Warner Music Group emphasized the global impact of emerging markets, noting that when music breaks in regions like Africa, it can quickly resonate worldwide.
Overall, the 2025 figures paint a picture of a thriving, interconnected global music ecosystem—one where emerging regions like Latin America are not only driving growth but also shaping the future of the industry.
