The latest edition of the IMPF’s Global Market View reveals that independent music publishers collected €2.7 billion (USD $2.9 billion) globally in 2024, a 5.1% increase year-on-year. The IMPF represents more than 300 independent music publishers worldwide.
Digging deeper:
Europe led the way for indie music publishers in 2024, with collections amounting to €847.5 million ($917.2 million), up 7.3% year-on-year and accounting for 51.2% of global collections.
North America was the second largest market for indie publishers at €461.4 million ($499.4 million).
The global market share of indie music publishers held firm at 26.3% in 2024.
Overall, independent music publishing revenue has grown by 116% globally since 2018, when the IMPF started compiling global data about the sector.
Cause for concern:
The report highlights several areas that require the industry’s attention.
The first is that royalties across markets continue to show gaps, particularly where CMOs face operational or transparency hurdles.
It also points to the treatment of non-pop genres, “which often face systemic under-monetization despite their cultural and economic significance.”
Closing both gaps, it says, must be a priority.
The IMPF also says the rise of AI-generated music represents the “most significant threat to the sector.”
What they said:
Claudia Mescoli, General Manager, Edizioni Curci, IMPF Board member: “Europe's position as the world's leading region for music royalties is no coincidence. It is the result of strong copyright protection, robust licensing frameworks and well-developed collective management infrastructures that ensure creators and rightsholders are properly rewarded. This foundation allows European repertoire to thrive at home and around the world, giving independent publishers and songwriters the confidence to invest, innovate and grow. Europe shows what is possible when the value of creativity is backed by a solid and reliable rights ecosystem.”
