The 2025 IMRO Ireland: Music Report, compiled by CORE Research, reveals 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 today, Tuesday, July 8, 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.
However, the report also found that music careers are under pressure. 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.
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The 2025 IMRO Ireland: Music Report makes 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.
The recommendations include:
- Advocating 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 introducing 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.
"Extraordinary cultural and economic value of music in Ireland"
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.”
"Music is embedded in our daily lives"
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.”
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