Economic stability, efficient operations and cultural responsibility: In a globally tense environment, GEMA achieved a compelling financial result in 2024. Total revenue rose to around EUR 1.33 billion. With a distribution amount of EUR 1.13 billion and a reduced cost rate of 14.9 %, GEMA reaffirms its position as a reliable partner for around 98,000 music creators.
In the past financial year GEMA recorded a total income of EUR 1.33 billion, a strong result that exceeded the billion-euro mark for the fourth consecutive year. This enabled the organisation to distribute EUR 1.13 billion to its members and rights holders worldwide. The live events sector remained the primary growth driver: 249,610 concerts were held in Germany last year, attracting a total of 69.87 million attendees (as of 4 April 2025). This boom led to an increase in performance-sector revenues of EUR 28.2 million, bringing the total to EUR 194.9 million in 2024, up from EUR 166.8 million in 2023.
“2024 was marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and disruptive technological developments. In this environment, GEMA demonstrated stability – financially, organisationally, and culturally. We were able to distribute over EUR 1.13 billion to our members. This is not only an economic achievement but also an expression of our responsibility towards music creators in Germany and around the world,” says GEMA CEO Dr Tobias Holzmüller. “At the same time, we remain firmly committed to fair rules for the digital use of music – including in relation to major platforms and AI providers. Creativity needs protection, and copyright remains a fundamental pillar of our culture. We will continue to help shape that protection with innovative foresight and our strong advocacy for legal clarity.”
“2024 was marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and disruptive technological developments. In this environment, GEMA demonstrated stability – financially, organisationally, and culturally. We were able to distribute over EUR 1.13 billion to our members. This is not only an economic achievement but also an expression of our responsibility towards music creators in Germany and around the world” – Dr. Tobias Holzmüller, GEMA CEO
“We have a solid financial foundation. Despite inflation-related challenges, we were able to reduce the cost rate to 14.9 %. We are not yet where we want to be in international comparison, but we are on the right track,” says Lorenzo Colombini, Chief Financial Officer. “The result clearly shows that GEMA works efficiently and is consistently improving and digitising its processes. Furthermore, we are investing in new services and technologies to ensure that we remain fit for the market and the expectations of our members and customers in the future.”
“We have a solid financial foundation. Despite inflation-related challenges, we were able to reduce the cost rate to 14.9 %. We are not yet where we want to be in international comparison, but we are on the right track,” says Lorenzo Colombini, Chief Financial Officer. “The result clearly shows that GEMA works efficiently and is consistently improving and digitising its processes. Furthermore, we are investing in new services and technologies to ensure that we remain fit for the market and the expectations of our members and customers in the future.” – Lorenzo Colombini, CFO ofGEMA
GEMA's main income categories at a glance
Public musical performance: In the live and public performance sector, revenues increased significantly by 13,1 % to EUR 502.0 million (2023: EUR 444.0 million), mainly due to revenue increases in the events sector in 2024. This set a new record.
Online: The online business remained largely stable in 2024. Revenues remained almost unchanged at EUR 310.1 million (2023: EUR 310.3 million). Positive development in the video-on-demand sector continued, while music-on-demand‘s market share declined.
Radio and television (programme collections): Revenues from use of music on television and radio rose slightly by around 1.2 % to EUR 308.4 million in the past financial year (2023: EUR 304.8 million). This was mainly due to a stabilisation of the advertising markets.
International: In the foreign division, revenues increased again by 6.9 % year-on-year to EUR 87.8 million (2023: EUR 82.1 million) due to catch-up effects from the coronavirus pandemic.
Remuneration Rights: Income from statutory remuneration rights fell to EUR 58.6 million (2023: EUR 73.2 million), returning to the 2022 level. The decline in 2024 was due to the exceptionally high figure in 2023, which was primarily driven by retroactively secured remuneration claims realised during that year.
Physical Carriers: The vinyl records revival notwithstanding, the market for physical recordings continues to decline. However, despite these market conditions, revenues in the area of duplication and distribution in 2024 are expected to increase slightly by 2.2 % year-on-year to EUR 45.7 million (2023: EUR 44.7 million).
In Germany GEMA represents the copyrights of around 98,000 members (composers, lyricists and music publishers) and over two million copyrights owners from all over the world in Germany. It is one of the largest societies for creators of musical works in the world.
Note to editors: Further information on the economic situation can be found in the 2024 Annual Report, including the 2024 Transparency Report, available at: https://www.gema.de/annualreport
GEMA's financial figures over the last 10 years: www.gema.de/income-2015-2024
Downloads
GEMA Geschäftsbericht 2024 (PDF | 10,4 MB) English version available in may
At a glance: Balance 2024 (PDF | 2,2 MB)
Press photo Dr. Tobias Holzmüller (TIFF | 23 MB | c. Sebastian Linder)
Press photo Lorenzo Colombini (TIFF | 22 MB | c. Sebastian Linder)