Music Streaming in Germany 2024: Record numbers, emerging genres & artist opportunities

Music streaming remains a major success story in Germany. In 2024, a total of 236 billion songs were streamed—an 11% increase compared to the previous year. This growth underscores the rising importance of streaming platforms for musicians, labels, and music fans alike.

The dominance of contemporary music

An analysis of the most-streamed songs reveals that music from the 2020s clearly dominates the market. A full 56% of all streams are attributed to songs released in this decade. Artists such as Ayliva, Luciano, and Nina Chuba are especially successful, generating millions of streams with their releases.

Streaming usage by release period

The data indicates that while newer music leads the market, older tracks still maintain a consistent level of interest:

2020 onwards: 56%
2010–2019: 26%
2000–2009: 8%
1990–1999: 4%
1980–1989: 3%
Until 1979: 3%

The high share of recent music highlights listeners’ focus on current releases, but the ongoing demand for older songs—especially within niche genres—should not be overlooked.

Streaming Trends: Which genres are growing the most?

Germany’s music landscape is constantly evolving. Several genres are currently experiencing rapid growth:

Country: +58%
Folk: +26%
German-language pop: +15%
Children’s music: +19%

These numbers show that niche genres are gaining traction beyond the traditional dominance of pop and hip-hop. Country music, in particular, is seeing an unexpected surge in popularity. Seasonal events also contribute to record-breaking numbers: December 24, 2024, was the most streamed day in history, with 927 million plays. Classics like “Last Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” consistently top the charts each year—presenting significant opportunities for artists.

How can musicians benefit from seasonal trends?

Produce seasonal tracks: Holiday-themed songs consistently achieve high streaming numbers each year.
Leverage playlist placements: Artists should actively pitch songs to seasonal and editorial playlists.
Use smart marketing: Themed campaigns on social media can boost visibility and engagement.

Key takeaways for artists

The latest data confirms that streaming is the most important distribution channel in today’s music industry. To succeed, artists should:
Monitor emerging trends and adapt their musical output.
Actively engage with playlists and platform algorithms.
Use digital distribution tools to strategically increase reach and visibility.

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