ArtistDirect News
Ireland Outpaces EU Average in Streaming Growth, IFPI Report Highlights Ambles International Success
On 10 September 2026, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) published its Music in the EU 2025 report, revealing that the European Union generated €6 billion in recorded‑music revenue—a 5.1 % rise from the previous year. While the bloc’s overall growth was solid, Ireland stood out: its streaming revenue climbed 7.3 %, surpassing the EU average, and the country’s home‑grown artists dominated the year‑end top‑10 charts.
A focal point of the report is the Dublin‑based folk trio Amble, signed to Warner Music. Their international touring and streaming figures are cited as key contributors to Ireland’s broader market momentum, drawing industry attention to the country’s expanding export potential.
“Probably the healthiest it’s ever been,” said Priscilla Kotey, Managing Director of Warner Music Ireland. She noted that Irish artists are achieving global success at a higher ratio than many EU peers, attributing the surge to the growth of Ireland Music Week, the opening of the BIMM Music Institute in Dublin, and the strategic use of social media by local talent.
Willie Kavanagh, Chairman of the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of local infrastructure in supporting the country’s rising star power. He added that Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council offers a platform to strengthen copyright protections, promote responsible artificial‑intelligence use, and safeguard music from piracy.
In the broader context, the EU accounts for 21.5 % of worldwide recorded‑music revenue, with nine of the world’s top 20 markets located within the bloc. The United States remains the largest market at €10.2 billion, followed by Japan at €2.5 billion. Year‑over‑year, the EU ranks second behind the US and slightly ahead of China.
The report flags two pressing challenges: sustaining growth while combating streaming fraud, and assessing the effectiveness of the EU AI Act. Subscription‑based streaming, which dominates revenue streams, is only 27 % penetrated across EU residents, compared with 47 % in the UK and 54 % in the US. Ireland’s subscription penetration lags further, falling below 20 %.
Other revenue channels—ad‑supported streaming, physical sales such as vinyl, and performance‑rights income—also contribute to the market’s total. Notably, over half of the tracks in each country’s year‑end top‑10 charts are performed by domestic artists, with Ireland exhibiting a particularly high level of local representation.
These findings underscore Ireland’s growing influence in the global music economy and highlight the importance of continued investment in talent development, infrastructure, and digital policy. For record labels, publishers, and artists, the IFPI data offers a benchmark to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape and to assess market opportunities and risks in 2026 and beyond.
The report’s insights will feed into EU policy discussions and help stakeholders chart a path forward in a market that is both dynamic and increasingly complex.
A focal point of the report is the Dublin‑based folk trio Amble, signed to Warner Music. Their international touring and streaming figures are cited as key contributors to Ireland’s broader market momentum, drawing industry attention to the country’s expanding export potential.
“Probably the healthiest it’s ever been,” said Priscilla Kotey, Managing Director of Warner Music Ireland. She noted that Irish artists are achieving global success at a higher ratio than many EU peers, attributing the surge to the growth of Ireland Music Week, the opening of the BIMM Music Institute in Dublin, and the strategic use of social media by local talent.
Willie Kavanagh, Chairman of the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of local infrastructure in supporting the country’s rising star power. He added that Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council offers a platform to strengthen copyright protections, promote responsible artificial‑intelligence use, and safeguard music from piracy.
In the broader context, the EU accounts for 21.5 % of worldwide recorded‑music revenue, with nine of the world’s top 20 markets located within the bloc. The United States remains the largest market at €10.2 billion, followed by Japan at €2.5 billion. Year‑over‑year, the EU ranks second behind the US and slightly ahead of China.
The report flags two pressing challenges: sustaining growth while combating streaming fraud, and assessing the effectiveness of the EU AI Act. Subscription‑based streaming, which dominates revenue streams, is only 27 % penetrated across EU residents, compared with 47 % in the UK and 54 % in the US. Ireland’s subscription penetration lags further, falling below 20 %.
Other revenue channels—ad‑supported streaming, physical sales such as vinyl, and performance‑rights income—also contribute to the market’s total. Notably, over half of the tracks in each country’s year‑end top‑10 charts are performed by domestic artists, with Ireland exhibiting a particularly high level of local representation.
These findings underscore Ireland’s growing influence in the global music economy and highlight the importance of continued investment in talent development, infrastructure, and digital policy. For record labels, publishers, and artists, the IFPI data offers a benchmark to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape and to assess market opportunities and risks in 2026 and beyond.
The report’s insights will feed into EU policy discussions and help stakeholders chart a path forward in a market that is both dynamic and increasingly complex.