TREND IN DIVIDEND PAYOUTS
2021 to 2025
GEMA’s distribution total has risen steadily in recent years. After reaching 886 million euros in 2021, it surpassed the billion-euro mark as early as 2022 and continued to grow strongly in the following years. At around 1.15 billion euros in 2025, the distribution total will once again reach a high level, despite a changing market environment.
Total payout to our members
2025
In 2025, we distributed a total of approximately 1.10 billion euros to our members and other rights holders. This amount directly benefits composers, lyricists, and music publishers, ensuring they are compensated for the use of their works.
Total payout by division
In 2025, the total distribution amount is primarily divided among the three core segments: Online, Broadcasting, and Live. At €268.1 million, the Online segment is the largest contributor to distributions, followed by the Broadcasting segment at €256.1 million. Dividends in the Live & Public Performance segment once again benefited from stable market conditions and totaled €174.6 million for the financial year.
Total revenue by division
2025
GEMA’s key growth drivers in 2025 are spread across three main areas: the largest growth driver is the live sector, generating €530 million (2024: €502 million), followed by the online sector with €328 million (2024: €310 million) Revenue from internatinal amounted to €90 million (2024: €88 million), an area with further growth potential in the wake of the music market’s increasing internationalisation.
trends in unit costs
2021 to 2025
Our cost ratio has shown an overall positive trend over recent years. In 2025, it fell to 14.1 per cent, which is significantly lower than the 2021 figure (14.7 per cent). This underscores our consistent focus on efficiency and cost control.