Olivia Dean & Lola Young Boost British Recorded Exports to New Record High
British recorded music exports achieved an unprecedented £800.3 million in 2025, marking a significant threshold for the UK industry and reflecting strong international performance by a new generation of artists. The rise was fueled by breakthrough successes from Olivia Dean, Lola Young, and PinkPantheress, who collectively secured chart positions in major markets, alongside contributions from established stars and emerging talent, demonstrating the continued global appeal of British music.
Despite the record-breaking figures, the industry faces headwinds with year-on-year growth slowing to 0.8 percent, attributed to increasing difficulty in launching new artists internationally. The BPI has emphasised the need for continued government backing through programmes such as the Music Export Growth Scheme, arguing that sustained investment and a supportive regulatory environment are critical for UK labels to nurture emerging talent and maintain the nation's competitive standing in the global music market.
- UK recorded music exports reached £800.3 million in 2025, the highest on record, driven by emerging artists including Olivia Dean and Lola Young
- Growth slowed to 0.8% year-on-year despite the milestone; industry calls for sustained government support to help develop new talent internationally
- US remains the dominant market for British music, accounting for 40% of total exports; 67 British artists reached 1 billion streams globally in 2025