Electronic Music Industry Reaches $15.1 Billion As Global Growth Accelerates

A Resilient Global Market

The global electronic music industry generated $15.1 billion in 2025, according to the latest IMS Electronic Music Business Report. This figure represents a 7% year-on-year increase, signaling a slight acceleration in growth compared to 2024. Produced by MIDiA Research and presented at IMS Ibiza, the report highlights sustained momentum across multiple revenue streams and a significant expansion of the genre’s global audience.

Now in its twelfth edition and authored by industry analyst Mark Mulligan, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the sector’s commercial performance. The findings underscore that electronic music remains one of the most consistent genres, successfully maintaining relevance across diverse markets while adapting to rapid shifts in technology and consumer behavior.

Diversified Revenue and Streaming Growth

Growth throughout 2025 was bolstered by gains in publishing, digital streaming platforms (DSPs), and merchandise, marking a strategic shift away from reliance on a single revenue source. Recorded music revenues rose by 9%, while publishing saw an 11% increase, mirroring broader trends within the global music business.

Subscriber numbers reached 919 million worldwide, with much of this growth fueled by markets in the Global South. This geographic expansion has reshaped the industry’s balance, allowing electronic music to solidify its presence among international listeners. Furthermore, investment activity remained robust, with electronic artists accounting for 18% of catalogue acquisition deals in 2025, reflecting long-term confidence in the genre’s streaming potential.

Audience Expansion and Platform Influence

The electronic music fanbase expanded by 600 million followers across major platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. On TikTok, the #ElectronicMusic hashtag saw 3 million creations in 2025—a 50% year-on-year increase. Niche subgenres are experiencing particularly rapid growth, with #SpeedGarage, #Garage, and #Techno seeing significant surges in engagement.

SoundCloud continues to be a vital hub for the genre, with electronic music accounting for one in three uploads. The platform’s scene rankings reveal a shift toward faster, harder sounds, with genres like hardstyle and schranz gaining traction. The report suggests this trend is a response to global turbulence, as listeners gravitate toward more intense musical expressions.

The Role of AI in Music Production

A notable development in the 2025 report is the rapid adoption of generative AI and stem separation tools. Revenues from these technologies increased by 651% between 2023 and 2025, reaching $333 million. With 63 million monthly active users, these tools are fundamentally changing how music is created, lowering barriers to entry for non-professional producers.

Despite the rise of AI, the report maintains an optimistic outlook for 2026. It concludes that in an era of algorithmic homogenization, the inherent “scenes culture” of electronic music—characterized by real-life connection and underground innovation—provides a level of resilience that revenue figures alone cannot fully capture.