GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Music Industry Statistics

Music industry struggles with diversity, equity, inclusion, representation, and fairness.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

80% of music industry professionals agree that culturally diverse artists should have more representation

Statistic 2

Asian artists hold about 3% of the top chart positions in the U.S.

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Women constitute approximately 21% of all artists represented by major record labels

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Black artists account for about 13% of the recorded music market share in the U.S.

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Latin artists represent approximately 4% of all chart-topping songs in the U.S.

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Less than 10% of headlining festivals feature diverse or marginalized groups as the main act

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Indigenous artists represent less than 1% of the artist representation in mainstream music charts

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Only about 15% of musicians in the industry are from ethnic minority backgrounds

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The percentage of songs by women on mainstream radio is approximately 20%

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Around 25% of music festival lineups include at least one woman artist as a headliner

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The percentage of touring concerts featuring minority artists has increased by 15% over the past 5 years

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Only 9% of Grammy nominations have been awarded to women in the past decade

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The percentage of female artists on the Billboard Hot 100 has increased to 33% in 2023, up from 20% five years ago

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Less than 4% of music videos on YouTube feature minority or marginalized artists in leading roles

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Only 20% of playlist curators focus intentionally on diverse or marginalized artists

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The number of international collaborations involving minority artists has grown by 25% over the last three years

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Female producers account for roughly 13% of all producers in the industry

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Less than 10% of major awards have been won by artists from marginalized backgrounds in the last 5 years

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The representation of LGBTQ+ artists in mainstream music is around 4%, with increased visibility over the last decade

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The share of music festivals worldwide that incorporate gender and racial diversity policies increased by 20% since 2019

Statistic 21

The number of youth music programs dedicated to underrepresented groups has increased by nearly 30% in the last five years

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Only 11% of major music awards history has gone to artists from marginalized groups in the last decade

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Only 7% of top-paid artists on streaming platforms are from diverse backgrounds

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Women artists earn about 30% less than their male counterparts on streaming platforms

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Less than 5% of music royalties are allocated to Indigenous artists

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The average streaming royalties received by minority artists is approximately 18% lower than their non-minority counterparts

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Only 12% of all music executives globally are women

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70% of music industry professionals believe there’s a need for more inclusive hiring practices

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Only 17% of executive-level positions in major record companies are held by women

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Only 1 in 4 executives at major labels are women

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Women-led record labels represent about 8% of the industry

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Only 5% of executive positions at streaming platforms are held by people from minority groups

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Only 9% of reported music industry workforce positions are held by people with disabilities

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Over 65% of music fans believe diversity is essential to the future of the industry

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Nearly 60% of music consumers support more diversity in the artists and content they listen to

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85% of top music executives believe that diversity affects the quality of music

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The share of music streaming revenue paid to Black artists is approximately 10%, although they make up 13% of the market

Statistic 38

Music in minority languages makes up less than 2% of the total global music market

Statistic 39

75% of music fans support initiatives promoting racial and cultural inclusion in music

Statistic 40

Over 50% of consumers believe the industry should do more to promote underrepresented groups

Statistic 41

85% of young music fans believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial for the future of music

Statistic 42

68% of industry professionals see diversity and inclusion as a driver of innovation and creativity

Statistic 43

Nearly 60% of music consumers support campaigns and initiatives that promote minority and marginalized artists

Statistic 44

The percentage of survey respondents who believe gender and racial equality should be prioritized in industry hiring practices is 78%

Statistic 45

80% of industry insiders agree that diversity improves audience engagement and loyalty

Statistic 46

65% of music industry employees believe that implicit bias training should be mandatory for all employees

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Women constitute approximately 21% of all artists represented by major record labels
Only 12% of all music executives globally are women
Black artists account for about 13% of the recorded music market share in the U.S.
Over 65% of music fans believe diversity is essential to the future of the industry
Latin artists represent approximately 4% of all chart-topping songs in the U.S.
Women artists earn about 30% less than their male counterparts on streaming platforms
Less than 10% of headlining festivals feature diverse or marginalized groups as the main act
Indigenous artists represent less than 1% of the artist representation in mainstream music charts
Only about 15% of musicians in the industry are from ethnic minority backgrounds
70% of music industry professionals believe there’s a need for more inclusive hiring practices
Nearly 60% of music consumers support more diversity in the artists and content they listen to
Only 17% of executive-level positions in major record companies are held by women
85% of top music executives believe that diversity affects the quality of music

Despite growing calls for inclusion, women, minority, and marginalized artists remain significantly underrepresented and underserved in the music industry, highlighting a critical need for systemic change to foster true diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Artist and Genre Representation in Streaming and Festivals

80% of music industry professionals agree that culturally diverse artists should have more representation
Asian artists hold about 3% of the top chart positions in the U.S.

Artist and Genre Representation in Streaming and Festivals Interpretation

While 80% of industry insiders champion greater cultural diversity, Asian artists, still occupying only around 3% of top U.S. chart spots, highlight how much work remains before inclusion hits the high notes it deserves.

Demographic Representation and Diversity Metrics

Women constitute approximately 21% of all artists represented by major record labels
Black artists account for about 13% of the recorded music market share in the U.S.
Latin artists represent approximately 4% of all chart-topping songs in the U.S.
Less than 10% of headlining festivals feature diverse or marginalized groups as the main act
Indigenous artists represent less than 1% of the artist representation in mainstream music charts
Only about 15% of musicians in the industry are from ethnic minority backgrounds
The percentage of songs by women on mainstream radio is approximately 20%
Around 25% of music festival lineups include at least one woman artist as a headliner
The percentage of touring concerts featuring minority artists has increased by 15% over the past 5 years
Only 9% of Grammy nominations have been awarded to women in the past decade
The percentage of female artists on the Billboard Hot 100 has increased to 33% in 2023, up from 20% five years ago
Less than 4% of music videos on YouTube feature minority or marginalized artists in leading roles
Only 20% of playlist curators focus intentionally on diverse or marginalized artists
The number of international collaborations involving minority artists has grown by 25% over the last three years
Female producers account for roughly 13% of all producers in the industry
Less than 10% of major awards have been won by artists from marginalized backgrounds in the last 5 years
The representation of LGBTQ+ artists in mainstream music is around 4%, with increased visibility over the last decade
The share of music festivals worldwide that incorporate gender and racial diversity policies increased by 20% since 2019
The number of youth music programs dedicated to underrepresented groups has increased by nearly 30% in the last five years
Only 11% of major music awards history has gone to artists from marginalized groups in the last decade
Only 7% of top-paid artists on streaming platforms are from diverse backgrounds

Demographic Representation and Diversity Metrics Interpretation

While strides are being made—reflected in a modest rise in female chart-toppers and increased diversity policies—music industry's persistent underrepresentation of women, minorities, and marginalized groups reveals that the industry still largely plays a repeating chorus of inequality, where progress remains a tentative tune rather than a harmonious norm.

Financial Disparities and Economic Impact

Women artists earn about 30% less than their male counterparts on streaming platforms
Less than 5% of music royalties are allocated to Indigenous artists
The average streaming royalties received by minority artists is approximately 18% lower than their non-minority counterparts

Financial Disparities and Economic Impact Interpretation

These stark disparities reveal that while the music industry claims to champion diversity and inclusion, women, Indigenous, and minority artists continue to grapple with systemic gaps that silence their voices—and their earnings—in the digital symphony.

Industry Workforce and Leadership Composition

Only 12% of all music executives globally are women
70% of music industry professionals believe there’s a need for more inclusive hiring practices
Only 17% of executive-level positions in major record companies are held by women
Only 1 in 4 executives at major labels are women
Women-led record labels represent about 8% of the industry
Only 5% of executive positions at streaming platforms are held by people from minority groups
Only 9% of reported music industry workforce positions are held by people with disabilities

Industry Workforce and Leadership Composition Interpretation

These statistics reveal that despite widespread acknowledgment of the need for inclusivity in the music industry, women and minority groups remain vastly underrepresented at the highest levels, highlighting an urgent call for meaningful structural change beyond mere recognition.

Market and Consumer Attitudes Toward Diversity

Over 65% of music fans believe diversity is essential to the future of the industry
Nearly 60% of music consumers support more diversity in the artists and content they listen to
85% of top music executives believe that diversity affects the quality of music
The share of music streaming revenue paid to Black artists is approximately 10%, although they make up 13% of the market
Music in minority languages makes up less than 2% of the total global music market
75% of music fans support initiatives promoting racial and cultural inclusion in music
Over 50% of consumers believe the industry should do more to promote underrepresented groups
85% of young music fans believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial for the future of music
68% of industry professionals see diversity and inclusion as a driver of innovation and creativity
Nearly 60% of music consumers support campaigns and initiatives that promote minority and marginalized artists
The percentage of survey respondents who believe gender and racial equality should be prioritized in industry hiring practices is 78%
80% of industry insiders agree that diversity improves audience engagement and loyalty
65% of music industry employees believe that implicit bias training should be mandatory for all employees

Market and Consumer Attitudes Toward Diversity Interpretation

With over 65% of fans and 85% of industry leaders recognizing diversity as vital to music’s future, it’s clear that embracing racial, cultural, and gender inclusion isn’t just progressive—it's essential for innovation, audience engagement, and the very quality of the soundscape we cherish.