Spotify has paid out over 34 million euros in music royalties to Belgian rights holders in 2024, an increase of 11 per cent compared to 2023. It’s the first time the streaming service has shared figures on the Belgian royalties they pay out.
The amount of 34 million euros stated in Spotify’s Loud & Clear report euros does not go entirely to artists. Spotify pays out part of its music-related revenues to rights holders and publishers, who then compensate artists and songwriters based on their individual contracts.
Over how many Belgian artists that 34 million euros is distributed, Spotify does not disclose in its report. The streaming service does stress that the group of artists earning 10,000 euros or more a year has “more than doubled” compared to 2018. The number of artists earning 50,000 euros or more a year is also on the rise. These are “more than twice as many” as in 2019 and “more than three times as many” as in 2018.
Lost Frequencies
“We find it positive that Spotify is sharing its Belgian figures,” said Steven Desloovere, head of music at Belgian authors’ rights organisation Sabam, to VRT NWS. “Especially authors/composers who work internationally earn money via streaming.”
According to Sabam’s calculations, there are about a hundred Belgian authors/composers who earn more than 10,000 euros in music rights via streaming per year. “The Belgian songwriters who earn an annual salary from streaming: that’s a maximum of 10 people,” stated Desloovere.
In “Spotify Wrapped” of 2024, Lost Frequencies was listed as the most streamed Belgian worldwide, with even two songs above the one billion streams mark: “Are you with me” and “Where are you now”. Other popular Belgians include Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Damso, Stromae and Angèle.
Spotify will soon raise prices for its Belgian subscribers. An individual Premium subscription will cost 11.99 euros a month for everyone from 1 May 2025, 1 euro more than now. Family subscriptions will also become more expensive. Premium users can switch to a “Basic” package, which no longer includes audiobooks, at the current rate.
