New Research reveals Irish Music Industry contributes €1 Billion Annually to Economy

• Research reveals Irish adults spending €757 per year on music events
• Consumer spending on streaming services reached €375 million in 2024 as over half of adults subscribe to services like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music
• Despite significant consumer spending, many Irish artists struggle to make a living as annual income for fulltime music professionals almost 40% lower than national average
• Better financial supports, international marketing, and robust protections for music creators — including fair remuneration and safeguards against the misuse of AI — are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Irish music industry

8^th July 2025 – The 2025 IMRO Ireland: Music Report, compiled by CORE Research, was launched today and revealed that Ireland’s music industry is a significant contributor to the national economy, generating €1 billion annually and employing over 13,400 people. The research findings were launched by Alan Kelly TD, Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, and presented to IMRO members.

The report paints a picture of a nation deeply connected to music, with the average adult in Ireland spending almost €1,000 per year on music related products and services. Live events dominate consumer expenditure, generating €786 million annually, with the Irish public also spending €375 million on streaming services in 2024.

Gig goers splash out

On average, Irish adults spent €757 on music events last year, with concerts in high-capacity venues accounting for the largest share at €298. This was closely followed by music festivals, which drew an average spend of €194.The research revealed that dedicated music fans attended more live events than the general public, showcasing their deeper engagement with live music. Whether at small gigs or large festivals, dedicated fans’ higher levels of attendance and spending make them a critical contributor to the Irish music scene.

While there is significant spending on music events, many members of the public are feeling the pinch. Two thirds (66%) of adults flagged the cost of tickets as the main barrier to attending gigs. Almost half (49%) also highlighted accommodation costs as an issue to going to music events.

How audiences are tuning in

Music is a key part of Irish people’s lives with almost two thirds (65%) of the public listening to music on a daily basis. The average adult listens to 84 minutes of music daily, though younger adults (18–34) engage more, averaging 92 minutes.

Music discovery is evolving rapidly, shaped by the transition from traditional physical media like radio and CDs to digital platforms. Streaming platforms are the dominant mode of music access, with over half (53%) of the population subscribing to services such as Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.

Streaming services and digital platforms playing a crucial role in the Irish music market, allowing Irish artists to reach global audiences. Spotify holds the largest share of the market, reflecting its strong appeal among users seeking an extensive music library and personalised experiences. Despite significant spending by Irish consumers on the likes of digital platforms, concerns have been raised by numerous musicians about how much of the €375 million reaches their pockets.

Radio remains a key source of discovery for 49% of respondents, Old habits also continue to die hard as formats like CDs and vinyl continuing to appeal to physical media fans, with 26% of the research respondents still using CDs.

Musical careers under pressure

An estimated 13,400 individuals work directly in the music sector, but employment within the music industry tends to fluctuate with seasonal opportunities, especially during the summer months. However, only 43% of those working in the music sector hold full-time positions, with the majority either working part-time or supplementing their income through jobs outside of the industry. In fact, around 68% of IMRO members rely on additional sectors to sustain their careers, reflecting the widespread dependency on external income sources.

IMRO members often turn to non-music sectors for supplementary income. Common fields include teaching, information and communication, and administration. Meanwhile, other sectors provide financial stability, often offering higher-than-average wages compared to the music industry.

Full-time artists face financial precarity, often requiring supplementary income from non-music jobs. While digital platforms have expanded access and visibility, they have exacerbated income disparities, leaving many creators under-compensated. Policies, grants, and innovative revenue models are needed to create a sustainable ecosystem that supports artists at all levels.

Recommendations

Despite the significant levels of interest and spending on music in Ireland, the dream of becoming a professional musician remains out of reach for many. The uneven distribution of revenue in streaming – where artists and songwriters receive a disproportionately low share – further complicates the landscape, with many artists struggling to earn sustainable incomes despite widespread distribution.

The report makes a number of recommendations for how the Irish Government could better nurture the indigenous music industry, as well as to protect it from new dangers such as the advent of AI. These include:

• Advocate for fair AI legislation and regulations to protect the music industry by fully implementing the EU AI Act to ensure platforms conform to their transparency obligations and that a regulated market is maintained for the licensing of existing copyright works.
• Apply successful financial strategies from the film industry to strengthen Ireland’s music sector. An example of this would be amending Section 481 to ensure the ongoing inclusion of music creation within the cultural test and introduce specific tax incentives for using Irish music within Audiovisual productions.
• Ireland’s music industry, while successful in cultivating grassroots and independent talent, is seen to lack the level of state intervention and global marketing machinery seen in the likes of South Korea, where K-pop’s global success is underpinned by systematic training programmes, high-budget productions, and strategic marketing.
• A continuation of supports for Ireland’s grassroots music venues, to ensure they can continue to foster new talent and sustain Ireland’s musical heritage, thus enabling the next generation of Irish musical artists through the provision of performance opportunities. Support financial stability for musicians by putting the Basic Income for the Arts scheme on a permanent footing, increasing access to project-based funding, and fostering opportunities for income generation through touring support, international showcasing, and professional development initiatives.

Commenting at the launch, Alan Kelly TD, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media Culture, Communications and Sport said: “The findings of the Ireland: Music Report 2025 highlight the extraordinary cultural and economic value of music in Ireland. Generating over €1 billion annually and supporting more than 13,400 jobs, the music sector is not only a key driver of our creative economy, but a fundamental part of our national identity. Irish people’s passion for music – reflected in the remarkable levels of spending on live events and streaming – demonstrates the deep, enduring bond between our citizens and the artists who inspire them.

“But this report also serves as a timely reminder that passion alone cannot sustain a career in music. Too many of our artists and songwriters are grappling with financial insecurity, exacerbated by the unfair distribution of streaming revenues and the growing challenges posed by AI. Government must take these findings seriously. From making the Basic Income for the Arts permanent to ensuring fair AI regulation, we have a clear responsibility to support the people behind Ireland’s musical success story.”

IMRO Chairperson and award-winning songwriter Eleanor McEvoy added: “At the heart of this report is a clear truth: Irish people don’t just enjoy music – they live it. From packed festival fields to quiet moments with a favourite playlist, music is embedded in our daily lives. This heartfelt connection is at the core of our vibrant music culture, but people working in the sector need more than passion to thrive.

“As Chair of IMRO, I’m proud to represent a community of creators who continue to innovate and inspire, despite the financial pressures they face. We need to ensure that musicians are fairly compensated in the streaming economy, protected from emerging risks such as unregulated AI, and supported through initiatives like Basic Income for the Arts and Section 481 reforms. The recommendations outlined here are not just aspirational, they are essential steps toward a sustainable and equitable future for Irish music, and we look forward to working closely with the Government and the Oireachtas Committees to furthering these recommendations.”

The 2025 IMRO Ireland: Music Report is available here.

The 2025 IMRO Ireland: Music Report, compiled by CORE Research, was launched today , pictured are IMRO Chairperson and award winning songwriter Eleanor McEvoy with Musician and Broadcaster Tom Dunne. Photo credit: Marc O’Sullivan