The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has shared its market data for 2023, revealing a ninth consecutive annual rise in the UK's consumption of recorded music.
The combined figure of sales and streams of music in the UK increased by 10% in 2023 to 182.8 million albums (or their equivalent) according to the BPI's analysis of data provided by The Official Charts Company. Streaming now accounts for 87.7% of the overall UK music market, compared to 63.6% in 2018.
The UK's streaming market hit another record high last year as 179.6 billion audio streams were accumulated across the 12 months — up 12.8% on 2022, and nearly double the total achieved five years earlier.
In terms of physical music, vinyl LP sales in the UK increased for the 16th consecutive year in 2023, growing at their fastest rate this decade with an 11.8% rise to 6.1 million units. While sales of CDs continued to fall — though their annual rate of decline slowed to its lowest level since 2015, dropping by 6.9% to 10.8 million units — around 136,000 cassettes were sold, surpassing six figures annually for the fourth consecutive year.
Overall, physical music sales were down 1.1% year-on-year in 2023, with 17.1m units being shifted.
The BPI's new data also reveals that women artists spent the most weeks at number one on the Official Singles Chart in a calendar year since it first launched in 1952.
Led by Miley Cyrus’ Flowers (which spent 10 weeks at number one), women secured a record-breaking 31 weeks at the top of the Official Singles Chart in 2023. UK artists such as RAYE (Escapism ft 070 Shake; pictured), Dua Lipa (Dance The Night), Ellie Goulding (Miracle with Calvin Harris) and Kenya Grace (Strangers), along with international artists such as Billie Eilish (What Was I Made For?), Doja Cat (Paint The Town Red), Olivia Rodrigo (Vampire) and Taylor Swift (Is It Over Now (Taylor’s Version)), all spent time at the top of the UK singles chart in 2023.
Based on combined streaming and sales activity, four of 2023’s five biggest tracks and seven of the year’s top 10 were by women. Miley Cyrus’ Flowers led the way, joined by hits from the likes of SZA (Kill Bill), Taylor Swift (Anti-Hero) and Cameroonian-American singer Libianca (People), as well as UK artists Ellie Goulding (Miracle with Calvin Harris), PinkPantheress (Boy’s A Liar) and RAYE (Escapism ft 070 Shake).
Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI Chief Executive, said in a statement: ‘While work continues towards achieving full representation for women across the music industry, 2023 has been a brilliant year for women in the Official Charts. There is a more diverse range of recording artists than ever achieving great success with the backing of their labels.
‘Women spent more weeks at number one on the Official Singles Chart than in any previous year, while seven of the ten biggest tracks were by women. This should be celebrated, but without complacency, and our work in the music industry continues to ensure that this becomes the norm.’
Elsewhere in the BPI’s report, The Weeknd’s retrospective The Highlights has been named as 2023’s top album, while Taylor Swift’s Midnights and her 2023 release 1989 (Taylor’s Version) round out the top three. Elton John’s 2017 record Diamonds ranked at number four after its sales and streams were boosted by his farewell tour and Glastonbury headline slot, while Harry Styles’ Harry’s House secured fifth place.
Miley Cyrus' Flowers was 2023's biggest single, while Dave and Central Cee (Sprinter), RAYE (Escapism, featuring 070 Shake), Taylor Swift (Anti-Hero) and Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding (Miracle) completed the top five songs in the UK.
