Music isn't just about emotion, community and immersion. It's also business. For the first time ever, an analysis maps the total economic footprint of the Danish music industry. Specifically, the report quantifies how much the Danish music industry contributes to GDP, employment, the national treasury and exports in Denmark. The report The music industry's contribution to the Danish economy 2025 was conducted by HBS Economics on behalf of Dansk Live, Gramex, Koda, MXD, Musikforlæggerne and IFPI Denmark.

The conclusion is clear: Music is an economic driver that generates DKK 16.3 billion annually to Danish GDP. At the same time, the Danish music industry contributes DKK 7.1 billion to the Danish treasury every year, which is roughly equivalent to the cost of building a new super hospital.

"Music revenue figures are important to show what a huge contribution music makes in terms of jobs and the economy. The old myth that art is 'on the dole' no longer holds true, and we can all be proud of what social investment in artists gives back. Not least in the form of cohesion and joie de vivre, so we need to start looking much more at the great potential of the artistic professions and the artists' conditions in the music economy," says Sara Indrio, chairperson of the Danish Artist Association.

The economic value chain in the music industry is under pressure

The report comes at a time when the music industry's economic basis is under tremendous pressure from accelerating digital development, new forms of distribution and increased pressure from international tech giants. A challenging picture that makes Gorm Arildsen, CEO of Koda, emphasise the need for us as a society to protect our music industry.

"It is crucial that we safeguard and protect the Danish music industry - especially at a time when artificial intelligence and big tech are challenging the fundamental structures for music creation, copyright and earnings. If we want to maintain and develop an industry that contributes over DKK 16 billion to GDP every year, it requires political action that can help ensure proper framework conditions for the professional music industry," says Gorm Arildsen, CEO of Koda.

Live music creates jobs across the country and makes the largest contribution to the national economy

In the report, the music industry is defined to include everyone who makes their living wholly or partly from creating, recording, publishing and performing music. The core of the music industry can be further divided into three main areas: Live music, recorded music and brand/image.

The contribution to Danish GDP comes mainly from live music, which accounts for DKK 10.2 billion of the music industry's GDP contribution. This is mainly due to activities that originate from festivals and concerts.

Another of the report's main conclusions is that the music industry creates jobs in all parts of Denmark, making it an important player for growth and employment across the country.

"It is gratifying to document the great social contribution of live music and the importance of the work of concert and festival organisers for both cohesion and settlement in local areas throughout the country. It is therefore crucial that the country's live stages can continue to be the economic engine of the music scene - without development being slowed down by unnecessary bureaucracy," says Esben Marcher, CEO of Dansk Live.

The music industry creates more value per FTE than many other industries

The report also concludes that the music industry is a productive industry and that productivity in the music industry is higher than in many other industries.

On average, an FTE in the music industry creates value equivalent to a GDP contribution of just over DKK 1.3 million annually. In comparison, an average FTE in the rest of the economy creates value equivalent to a GDP contribution of just over DKK 1.2 million annually.

This means that an average FTE in the Danish music industry creates value for about 8 per cent more than an average FTE in the rest of the economy.

In addition to the core music industry, there are a number of ancillary industries that fully or partially base their business on the music industry, including hotels and restaurants, room and property rental, IT and communication.

 

See the full study on the music industry's contribution

Key figures from the report:

  • DKK 16.3 billion annually
    The Danish music industry contributes DKK 16.3 billion to Danish GDP, which corresponds to 0.6 per cent of total Danish GDP in 2023.
  • 13,100 FTEs
    The music industry contributes 13,100 FTEs to employment. This corresponds to 0.6 per cent of total employment in Denmark in 2023.
  • DKK 7.1 billion.: The music industry contributes DKK 7.1 billion annually to the national treasury through income taxes and corporate taxes. This is equivalent to the cost of building a new super hospital.
  • 8% more productive: The Danish music industry is more productive than many other industries and a full-time equivalent (FTE) in the music industry creates on average eight per cent more socio-economic value (GDP contribution) than a FTE in the rest of the Danish economy.
  • Workplaces across the country: The music industry creates jobs in all parts of Denmark, contributing to both urban and rural areas. Specifically, the music industry creates 6,600 jobs in the capital, 2,400 jobs in Central Denmark and 1,900 jobs in Southern Denmark.
  • The role of exports: Music exports contribute DKK 1.7 billion annually to GDP, of which DKK 1.1 billion comes from live music exports and DKK 0.6 billion from recorded music exports.

Facts about the analysis:

Title: The music industry's contribution to the Danish economy 2025

Publisher: HBS Economics on behalf of Dansk Live, Gramex, Koda, MDX, Musikforlæggerne and IFPI Denmark

Purpose: To provide a comprehensive overview of the Danish music industry's contribution to the Danish economy

Definition of the music industry: In the report, the work is placed at the centre of the delineation of the music industry. The economic flows of the music industry run from the work itself, and the industry is limited to those who make their living wholly or partly from creating, recording, publishing and performing music. In other words, the music industry is the direct activity that creates economic value based on the work.

MethodologyBased on Statistics Denmark's input-output model and data from Koda, Gramex and Musikforlæggerne, among others. Based on 2023 figures.