South Asia Stock Music Market Analysis & Forecast: 2025-2032

South Asia Stock Music Market Size and Trends – 2025 to 2032

The South Asia Stock Music Market is expected to be valued at USD 43.71 Million in 2025 and reach USD 71.58 Million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% from 2025 to 2032.

Key Takeaways of the South Asia Stock Music Market:

• The royalty-free stock music segment is projected to lead the market, holding a share of 65.71% in 2025.
• The online content segment is projected to lead the market, holding a share of 28.3% in 2025.

Market Overview:

The South Asia stock music market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period supported by the increasing penetration of digital music platforms and streaming services in key countries. Rising internet and smartphone adoption coupled with the growing popularity of streaming music over downloaded files will also support growth. However, the availability of free music content online may limit the demand and act as a challenge for the market growth.

Segmental Insights

To learn more about this report, Request sample copy

Type Insights – Flexibility and affordability drive demand for royalty-free stock music

The royalty-free stock music segment is expected to dominate the South Asia stock music market, holding a share of 65.71% in 2025, due to its flexibility and affordable pricing model. Creators and customers in the region value having complete ownership and unlimited usage of music tracks without ongoing licensing fees. This ownership model removes barriers that traditional licensing poses and allows music to be freely integrated into all types of media. Customers can purchase single tracks or subscription plans giving unlimited downloads. Upfront payment removes worries about unexpected royalty costs down the road. This predictability is attractive to budgets in South Asia's growing creative industries. Music supervisors for advertising, film, and online content prefer not having to track usage or pay escalating fees. Royalty-free also eliminates time-consuming negotiations and approvals for each project.

Many individual creators and small businesses in the region have low budgets that make ongoing licensing costs unsustainable. Royalty-free lets enthusiast filmmakers, YouTubers, and web designers incorporate high-quality tracks affordably. Students and educators also benefit from inexpensive access to extensive libraries for multimedia class projects and presentations. Licensing restrictions are less important in emerging South Asian markets still developing infrastructure and regulations around intellectual property. Customers place higher value on maximum creative freedom and control over acquired content. Royalty-free stock music meets this need through permissible personal and commercial use without compromising on sound quality or selection. Its simplified ownership model drives the bulk of regional music purchases.

Application Insights – Online content fuels demand for stock music

The online content segment is expected to dominate media consumption, holding a share of 28.3% in 2025, and its exponential growth strongly influences the South Asia stock music market. Websites, apps, videos, and streaming services require large music libraries to set moods and keep users engaged. Creators prioritize an endless supply of high-quality yet affordable tracks. Stock music perfectly suits this need through subscriptions providing millions of songs. Online publishers and influencers rely on cost-effective unlimited usage to score endless blog posts, tutorials, gameplay clips, and social videos. Spending on content often has tight budgets, making ongoing royalty costs for each song unsustainable. Stock music's simplicity streamlines online music selection and integration.

Online video especially drives stock music demand. YouTube saw over 250 million users in South Asia last year and is still rising rapidly as data plans become more affordable. Vloggers, explains, and gamers produce enormous volumes of videos seeking right music. Affordable stock music subscriptions replace expensive song commissions or constant copyright worries. Audio streaming is also booming, and services leverage stock music heavily for playlists, advertisements, and atmospheric ambiences.

The mobile revolution transformed South Asian internet consumption, shifting activity overwhelmingly to smartphones. Apps emerged as a dominant medium and require constant refreshing with new content. High-quality stock music attracts and engages users while fitting tight app-development budgets. Its "set it and forget it" purchasing model appeals more than projects entangling licensing agreements for each feature. Online content will remain the region's fastest-growing media category, cementing stock music as its soundtrack.

Market Players, Key Devlopment, and Competitive Intelligence

Get actionable strategies to beat competition: Request sample copy

Key Developments:

• In March 2025, blackx, a Singapore-based company that focuses on music investments across Asia Pacific, partnered with a Japan-based talent management company, ASOBISYSTEM, on expanding the reach of J-pop globally. The partnership seeks to develop intellectual property, create new revenue streams for artists, and enhance international fan engagement for ASOBISYSTEM‘s roster, which includes over 100 artists, models, and creators from Japan’s entertainment industry.
• In April 2024, Warner Music Group, an entertainment and record label conglomerate, launched Warner Music South Asia, an affiliate handling its recorded music operations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others

Top Strategies Followed by South Asia Stock Music Market Players

• Established Players: Leading companies focus on AI-driven music curation, strategic acquisitions, and expanding their licensing models to strengthen market dominance. Epidemic Sound, Audio Network, and Pond5 invest in AI-powered music recommendation tools, premium content libraries, and exclusive licensing deals to cater to high-end content creators and enterprises.
  • For example, Epidemic Sound launched an AI-based music discovery tool that enables creators to find tracks matching their video content seamlessly. Additionally, Pond5 acquired the India-based stock music and footage platform, MotionElements, to expand its footprint in the South Asia stock music market.
• Mid-Level Players: Mid-sized companies adopt regional expansion, strategic partnerships, and flexible pricing models to gain market share. Artlist, Soundstripe, and Music Vine focus on offering affordable subscription-based stock music libraries with competitive licensing terms.
  • For instance, Artlist introduced an unlimited subscription model that allows YouTubers and content creators to access its entire library for a fixed fee, making premium stock music more accessible. Similarly, Soundstripe partnered with Adobe to integrate its music library directly into Adobe Premiere Pro, streamlining workflow for video editors.
• Small-Scale Players: Smaller companies differentiate by targeting niche markets, developing culturally relevant stock music, and offering specialized integrations for emerging platforms. Muzik247, Bensound, and Jamendo focus on providing South Asia-specific stock music, indie artist collaborations, and free-to-use tracks with optional licensing for monetized content.
  • For example, Muzik247 specializes in curating traditional Indian folk and film music for regional filmmakers and ad agencies. Additionally, Bensound introduced a "pay-what-you-want" model for independent content creators, allowing greater accessibility while supporting emerging artists.

Emerging Startups – South Asia Stock Music Industry Ecosystem

• AI-Powered Music Curation: Startups are integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to curate personalized music recommendations and automate licensing.
  • Mubert, for instance, uses AI to generate custom soundtracks in real-time based on user inputs, catering to content creators and businesses. Similarly, Aiva Technologies employs AI-driven composition to create royalty-free music tailored to specific moods and styles.
• Subscription-Based Licensing Models: Some startups are adopting subscription services to provide affordable and hassle-free access to stock music libraries.
  • Artlist has introduced a flat-rate subscription plan, allowing unlimited downloads of high-quality stock music. Likewise, Soundstripe offers an all-inclusive subscription model aimed at YouTube creators, simplifying content monetization.
• Regional & Cultural Focus: Startups are emphasizing culturally relevant and region-specific stock music libraries to meet local content needs.
  • Muzik247, an India-based stock music provider, specializes in South Asian film and folk music for use in advertisements and films. Similarly, Maati Baani curates traditional Indian classical and fusion tracks for digital creators seeking authentic regional sounds.

Market Report Scope

Market Dynamics

Discover market dynamics shaping the industry: Request sample copy

South Asia Stock Music Market Driver – Increasing Popularity of Audio and Video Streaming Platforms

The growing popularity of online audio and video streaming platforms in South Asian countries has been a key driver for the growth of the stock music market in recent years. With more people watching videos, movies and listening to music online on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Netflix and other local streaming apps, the demand for high-quality stock music that can be licensed for use on these platforms has increased tremendously. Platforms need to obtain appropriate licenses before using any third-party copyrighted music in their content. This has opened up opportunities for stock music providers to license their music catalogs to these popular streaming websites and applications for use in original content, videos, advertisements etc. The boom in online streaming in South Asian nations is expected to continue in the coming years with improved internet infrastructure and falling data costs, thereby driving greater demand for stock music licensing.

South Asia Stock Music Market Challenge – Risks Associated with Music Piracy

The South Asia stock music market faces significant challenges from the widespread issue of music piracy in the region. Music piracy levels in major markets like India and Pakistan are significantly above global averages. This poses risks for stock music libraries and composers, as it reduces legitimate revenues and sales opportunities. Protecting copyright and identifying active pirates remains a difficult challenge given the scale of operations and limited enforcement resources. Furthermore, many consumers in price-sensitive markets are still unaccustomed to paying for digital content. This promotes a culture of free or inexpensive access to music. If not addressed strategically, high piracy could suppress potential demand and revenue growth for stock music in South Asian markets over the long term. Licensing models may need to be tailored to the region and anti-piracy initiatives strengthened through legal reforms and awareness programs.

South Asia Stock Music Market Opportunity – Expansion into Untapped Markets

One of the key opportunities for stock music libraries in South Asia is the potential to expand into various untapped niche markets and regions. While major cities have seen growing interest, there remains scope to develop clientele in smaller cities and towns. Specifically, segments like advertising, media & entertainment, gaming and digital content developers are growing but underserved. The markets also offer untapped potential in terms of licensing to broadcasting networks and TV channels across various regional languages. Given the size and diversity of South Asian countries, focusing on state or region-level expansion plans could unlock new commercial opportunities. Libraries that identify the right partners and customize catalogs for local tastes can establish early-mover advantages in emerging pockets. Overall, a targeted market development approach presents significant upside for stock music revenues over the coming years.

Analyst Opinion (Expert Opinion)

• The South Asia stock music market is projected to experience significant growth over the forecast period, driven by the increasing popularity of audio and video streaming platforms and the rising demand for music streaming applications such as YouTube and other social media platforms.​
• A major hindrance to market growth could be music piracy, which poses a significant threat to the revenue streams of stock music providers.​
• India is expected to continue dominating the South Asia stock music industry, supported by a large base of content creators and consumers, as well as increasing investments from both local and global players.

Market Segmentation

• Type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2020 - 2032)
• • Royalty-free Stock Music
  • Licensed Stock Music
• Application Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2020 - 2032)
• • Online Content
  • Advertising
  • Film Soundtracks
  • Corporate and Educational Presentations
  • Television and Radio Broadcasts
  • Gaming
  • Others
• Key Players Insights
  • Audio Network Limited
  • Envato Pty Ltd.
  • Epidemic Sound
  • Pond5 Inc.
  • The Music Bed LLC
  • SoundCloud Ltd.
  • Music Vine Limited
  • Storyblocks.com​
  • Soundsnap​
  • Soundstripe Inc.
  • Bensound
  • Jamendo
  • Artlist
  • 123RF (Inmagine Lab Pte Ltd)
  • Shutterstock