"Today's report demonstrates the significant financial value our musicians continue to contribute to the UK's economy". Image credit: Shutterstock.
UK Music, the collective voice of the music industry, has today released its annual economic report on exports and employment figures for the music industry in 2022.
The This Is Music 2023 report reveals that the UK music industry contributed a record £6.7 billion to the UK economy in 2022 in gross value added (GVA), and outlines the huge opportunities available for export growth if given the right support.
Headline statistics
Key findings are based on data collated from across the music industry, and the headline statistics in 2023’s report are as follows:
- UK music exports generated £4 billion in 2022
- Music industry’s contribution to UK economy was £6.7 billion (GVA) in 2022
- Total UK music industry employment was 210,000 in 2022
- Performance income increased 66.4% year-on-year to £228.9 million in 2022
As well as economic data on the music industry, This Is Music 2023 offers an analysis of 2022, emerging trends in 2023, and case studies.
Thank you to all MU members who took UK Music's research survey. This data will help the Musicians' Union campaign and lobby on behalf of members.
The financial contribution to the UK economy is a tribute to the ingenuity and creativity of our talented musicians
Phil Kear, MU Assistant General Secretary said: “Today's report demonstrates the significant financial value our musicians continue to contribute to the UK's economy, at a time when arts funding has been allowed to dwindle to the extent it is now - woefully insufficient to sustain our nation's orchestras.
“Furthermore while the provision of music education in schools is a postcode lottery, and performers' rights to a fair share of income from music streaming and generative AI remain unsupported under UK copyright law, this contribution is a tribute to the ingenuity and creativity of our talented musicians.
“However, if the government proceeds to turn a blind eye to these critical issues it will continue to witness the draining of talent from the industry, and an ever-weaker contribution to its coffers in the future, as a result”.
Headline numbers are not reflected in the reality facing the musicians at the heart of the industry
As we have previously reported, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has recently written to the Chancellor and Culture Secretary calling for support for Northern Ballet, English National Opera, Royal Opera House and the wider sector in relation to arts funding cuts.
Given that the results of the This is Music 2023 report state how the music industry’s contribution to UK economy was £6.7 billion (GVA) in 2022, it is more important than ever that the Government act urgently to save our world-renowned orchestras.
Find out more and view the report in full via UK Music.