UK music industry accelerates return to growth, new figures show

The UK music industry continued its return to growth with its 2021 contribution to the UK economy hitting £4 billion – up 26 percent on the £3.1 billion figure for 2020. 

UK Music’s latest This is Music report demonstrates how the sector has continued to adapt and expand.  

Further findings show how employment in the music industry rose to 145,000 jobs in 2021 – up 14 percent on the 128,000 jobs in 2020. 

Year-on-year demand strengthened significantly in 2021, with a 10 percent rise from £2.3 billion to £2.5 billion.

In 2021, the biggest selling album in the world was Adele’s ‘30’. Ed Sheeran’s ‘=’ was the fourth best-selling album and Dua Lipa’s ‘Future Nostalgia’ was in sixth place.

Commenting, James Brister, ICMP’s Industry Liaison Manager, said: "It’s fantastic to see UK Music’s latest figures, the new success stories and how the sector is returning to growth."

Resilience and determination have always been essential characteristics for anyone looking to succeed in the industry and that’s particularly been the case during recent times."

"It’s been really inspiring to see our student community demonstrate these characteristics and continue to succeed."

Alongside the report, UK Music has outlined a number of proposals government can adopt to support the music industry.

These include: 

• Establishing a Government-industry working group on sustainability and appoint a Commissioner to ensure music is included in health and social care provision.
• Building UK music careers and skills: Deliver the Arts Pupil Premium to support schools’ provision of music to all children and introduce parity of support for the self-employed.
• Support music spaces throughout the UK: In face of rising inflation reduce VAT, introduce business rates cuts and new duties to protect music.

Visit ukmusic.org for more information.