The music industry in France is not just alive it’s thriving. According to a recent study conducted by EY for “We Are_” and several French music bodies, the sector’s direct added value surged to €2.8 billion in 2024. That’s a staggering 50% growth since 2019, outpacing the French GDP growth by 14 times. But behind these impressive figures lies a detailed story of resilience, innovation, and the global soft power of French music.
From COVID Crisis to a Powerful Comeback
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a heavy blow to live performances and the music ecosystem. Between 2020 and 2021 alone, the sector lost nearly €2 billion in direct value added, with live music hardest hit due to prolonged venue closures and restrictions.
Yet the comeback story is remarkable. By 2024, the industry’s direct value added not only recovered but grew robustly. Recorded music rebounded as streaming platforms democratized access to all styles, while live music bounced back with a resurgence of concerts and festivals. According to the report, ticket revenues for live events in 2023 reached €1.4 billion, nearly a 50% increase compared to 2017.
The sector now employs around 101,000 full-time equivalents (FTEs) comparable to France’s automotive vehicle manufacturing sector. This resilience was supported by government aid, sector-specific support, and the ability of stakeholders to adapt quickly.
A Global Industry with Deep Roots in France
French music is increasingly an export product. About 30% of recorded music revenues in 2024 came from international markets. Export revenue for the entire music sector increased by 44% between 2019 and 2024, highlighting the growing global appetite for French artists.
Genres like French Touch electronic music, pop, and rap play a huge role in this export success. For instance, dance-electro music accounted for 35% of certified exports in 2024. Iconic acts like Justice, Angèle, Aya Nakamura, and Stromae have helped French music shine worldwide.
Events such as the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games also gave French music unprecedented visibility, with Spotify streams for French artists like Aya Nakamura soaring by 40% abroad during the events.
Streaming: A Game-Changer with Challenges
Streaming remains the engine of growth for recorded music, helping the sector grow its direct value added from €868 million in 2023 to €929 million in 2024. The report notes that French consumers now spend an average of 18 hours and 48 minutes per week listening to music a 5-hour increase over the past five years. Among 15- to 24-year-olds, this rises to nearly 25 hours per week.
However, streaming comes with challenges. The market is highly concentrated among a few artists, and the revenue model remains under debate. Moreover, the rise of generative AI threatens to dilute value and could lead to a 30% decline in revenues if unchecked, according to industry estimates.
Live Music: Back on Stage and Attracting New Audiences
Live music has not only recovered it has evolved. Attendance at live performances and festivals increased by 12% and 9% respectively from 2022 to 2023. Many companies report new, often younger, audiences discovering live shows. International tourism has also bolstered demand, partly thanks to affordable ticket prices in France compared to other markets.
Yet inflation and climate change present fresh hurdles. Rising production costs and event cancellations due to extreme weather affect smaller and regional venues. Notably, 45% of companies surveyed expect fewer events in rural areas by 2025.
Despite these challenges, optimism reigns: live music companies forecast annual growth of 9.1% between 2025 and 2030, slightly higher than the 7.1% expected by recorded music companies.
Beyond the Stage: Economic Ripple Effects
The music sector’s impact isn’t limited to concerts or streams. Every €1 of direct value added generates €0.91 in indirect and induced value supporting suppliers, tourism, publishing, audiovisual media, and more. This ripple effect is stronger than in sectors like restaurants (€0.67) but lower than pharmaceuticals (€1.18).
Tourism benefits directly: festivals and concerts fill hotels, bars, and restaurants, boosting local economies. The music industry’s integration with creative sectors like film, gaming, and advertising also highlights its central role in France’s cultural fabric.
Innovation, Diversification, and Future Growth
What fuels this optimism? Companies surveyed identified growth in customer numbers, diversification of content and services, and increased revenue per customer as the main drivers. Between 2025 and 2030, they expect average annual growth of about 8.2%.
By 2030, the music industry’s direct value added could grow by around 50% compared to 2024, based on global trends. This growth will be driven largely by live music, reflecting its critical role in artists’ earnings and fan engagement.
SACEM: A French Success Story on the Global Stage
France’s collective management organizations (CMOs), particularly SACEM, are world leaders. SACEM manages royalties for over 510,000 songwriters, composers, and publishers worldwide. It collected nearly €749 million abroad in 2024, a 22% increase from 2022.
SACEM’s international reputation supports France’s soft power, attracting foreign artists and reinforcing the country’s image as a hub for cultural rights protection. French law around copyright and creator rights has become a model globally.
Keeping the “French Difference”
What makes French music globally appealing? Industry players credit France’s cultural policies, skilled service providers, and rich musical heritage. Yet they also recognize the need for continuous adaptation through tax incentives, stronger copyright laws, and coordinated export strategies to maintain this edge.
The report highlights the importance of defending local production, ensuring visibility through quotas and public broadcasting, and addressing digital challenges like AI-generated content.
The Bottom Line: Music as a Driver of Growth, Identity, and Influence
France’s music industry is more than an economic success. It reflects the country’s creativity, cultural diversity, and global influence. The growth from €2.8 billion in direct added value in 2024 to potentially 50% higher by 2030 shows both resilience and forward-looking vision.
Despite challenges climate risks, inflation, and AI disruption France’s music sector has built a model that blends artistic heritage with digital innovation, reaching audiences worldwide while strengthening local communities.
In a world where culture shapes global reputation, France’s music sector stands as a beacon of how creativity, policy, and business can work together not only to entertain, but to define a nation’s voice on the world stage.
