Québec, May 26, 2020. – In 2019, Québec sales of sound recordings in equivalent album units totalled 3.6 million units, a 24% drop from 2018. This is the largest annual decline in 10 years. During the 2009–2019 decade, sales have fallen by 66%. This decline is due to the growing popularity of music streaming services. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, the use of these services increased by 35% in Canada. This was revealed in Optique culture no 70, published today by the Observatoire de la culture et des communications of the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Sound recording sales by type of product, Québec, 2009 to 2019
1. Thirteen digital tracks equal one album.
Source: © Nielsen SoundScan Inc., 2001. All rights reserved.
Vinyl record sales hold steady in a declining market
The breakdown of sound recording sales in 2019 is as follows:
- CD sales totalled 2.1 million units, down 26% from 2018;
- digital album sales sold 0.8 million units, a drop of 23% from 2018;
- digital track sales totalled 5.9 million units, down 27% compared to 2018;
- vinyl records sales reached 181,100 units, a result similar to that of 2018 (180,900). Vinyl sales represented 8% of sales in physical format in 2019 (6% in 2018).
Market share of Québec products varies little
In 2019, the market share of Québec products for sound recording sales reached 50% (51% in 2018). This share varied by format:
- 58% for CDs (61% in 2018);
- 36% for digital products (32% in 2018).
Among Québec album sales, the market share held by French-language products was 65%, down from 71% in 2018.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.