Irish music industry contributes €1 billion a year to economy, new research says

A new report released today by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has revealed that Ireland's music industry is a major contributor to the national economy, generating €1 billion annually and employing over 13,400 people.

The 2025 IMRO Ireland: Music Report touches on various aspects of music in Ireland, finding that despite a high degree of consumer spending on music, artists struggle to afford their careers. Other findings include trends in live events, the popularity of streaming services and fears surrounding the rise of AI.

The report was compiled by CORE Research and published by IMRO. Speaking at the launch, Alan Kelly TD described the report as reflective of a deep bond between the Irish nation and music.

"The findings of the Ireland: Music Report 2025 highlight the extraordinary cultural and economic value of music in Ireland," Kelly said.

"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."

Findings identified music as a core part of many Irish people's lives, wherein 65% of survey participants reported listening to music on a daily basis. The average adult reportedly listens to an average of 84 minutes of music per day, with younger adults aged 18 to 34 averaging 92 minutes per day.

The report also found a high degree of consumer expenditure. The average adult in Ireland was found to spend almost €1,000 annually on music-related products and services.

A majority of the expenditure was on live music. Irish adults spent an average of €757 on music events last year, 39.4% of which was spent on concerts at high-capacity venues and 25.6% on music festivals. Even so, two-thirds of respondents identified the cost of tickets as the main barrier to attending gigs.

Additionally, the report found streaming services to be immensely popular among music listeners. According to the report, at least 53% of the population subscribes to services such as Spotify, YouTube Music and Amazon Music. Consumers in Ireland spend €375 million annually on digital music platforms.

Despite these platforms widening the reach of Irish artists, IMRO's report says streaming services' payment structures have left many creators underpaid. Many musicians interviewed expressed concerns as to how much of that revenue ends up in their hands. Musicians also voiced concerns about the rise of AI and its potential negative impact on human musicians who already struggle to make a living from music.

"This report also serves as a timely reminder that passion alone cannot sustain a career in music," Kelly said.

"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."

The report found that many music professionals struggle to make money, often relying on external sources of income. Only 43% of the estimated 13,400 people in Ireland working in music hold full-time positions in the industry.

The majority of IMRO members depend on income from sectors outside of music to get by, with alternative fields identified as teaching, communication and administration. These other fields often offer above-average wages compared to the music sector.

The report made a series of recommendations to the Irish government to improve and protect the nation's music industry, including a continuation of support for grassroots music venues in Ireland, as well as borrowing strategies from the film industry, such as introducing tax incentives for using Irish music in projects.

Researchers also encouraged the government to protect Irish musicians by making the Basic Income for the Arts scheme permanent, increasing access to project and tour funding as well as professional development initiatives.

The report urged Irish politicians to advocate for the EU AI Act to be fully implemented, ensuring streaming platforms comply with transparency obligations and the market for licensing copyright works is regulated.

"At the heart of this report is a clear truth: Irish people don’t just enjoy music - they live it," said IMRO chairperson Eleanor McEvoy.

"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."

Data for the report was collected through a nationally representative omnibus survey, a survey of IMRO members (which includes all Irish musicians and publishers for whom IMRO issues performance rights in copyright music) and interviews with music industry executives and stakeholders.