United Kingdom remains second largest music export market

The United Kingdom maintains its position as the world’s second-largest music export market, according to new data from Luminate. While the country’s share of global on-demand audio streaming fell to 4% in the first half of 2026—a slight decline from 4.2% in 2025 and 4.3% in 2024—this occurs amidst a broader expansion of global streaming consumption and increased competition from emerging markets and non-English-language artists.

Domestically, music consumption in the U.K. is strengthening. Luminate survey data indicates that 79% of U.K. respondents identify as regular music listeners, up from 76% in 2025. Weekly listening time has also increased, with Gen Z and Millennials leading consumption at 15.2 and 14.6 hours per week, respectively. Additionally, U.K. respondents reported a monthly average spend of approximately £83 on music.