Global music trends in 2025 were primarily shaped by pop icon Taylor Swift and a wave of K-pop success, according to new figures released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
Swift’s 12th studio project, The Life of a Showgirl, emerged as the world’s biggest-selling album of the year, reinforcing her dominance in the global market. Meanwhile, Rosé scored the year’s top single with her collaboration with Bruno Mars, APT, which surpassed two billion streams and became the first chart-topping global hit to feature non-English lyrics.
Industry data also highlighted the growing influence of Asian pop culture, with songs tied to the animated group Huntr/X/X gaining strong international traction. Other major hits included Ordinary by Alex Warren and Beautiful Things by Benson Boone, underscoring a year driven by streaming longevity as older releases continued to dominate charts.
Despite the global reach of the charts, no British artist cracked the top ten singles list for a second consecutive year, although Lola Young secured the highest UK placement at number 11 with Messy. Analysts say the results reflect a shifting industry landscape where fan-driven streaming culture continues to amplify international acts.
