For the fifth year in a row, Koda’s report on gender inequality and gender statistics shows that gender equality on the Danish music scene is in a poor state: only 10 per cent of the money distributed by Koda ends up in the pockets of female music creators. At the same time, the proportion of women among the highest earners is now the lowest it has ever been in five years. The chair of Koda describes these findings as discouraging and calls for the entire industry to take responsibility.
Gender statistics
After five years without real change in gender equality statistics: ‘Everyone needs to take responsibility’
Music by female songwriters and composers still only receive enough airplay to account for just 10 per cent of Koda’s total distributions of royalties.
This remains the conclusion after the fifth gender statistics report in a row, a report compiled annually by Koda. Women make up just 20 per cent of Koda’s members, and they receive just 10 per cent of the total distributions made within areas such as streaming, radio, TV and concerts.
We will never reach the goal unless we get the entire music scene to pull together – Loui Törnqvist
At the same time, the relative share of women among the highest earners has fallen steadily since the first gender statistics report was published in 2020, and the share is currently the lowest it has ever been for the five-year period under review. For the second year in a row, there are no women in the top 10 lists of highest-grossing rightsholders within Koda’s main areas of distribution.
‘The main and most disappointing takeaway is that for five years, there has been no overall positive development,’ says Loui Törnqvist, chair of Koda. She goes on to assert that the entire music industry needs to jointly shoulder the responsibility and work together to solve the great inequality issues in Danish music.
Key figures
- 20 per cent of Koda’s members are women.
- 10 per cent of the total amount distributed in 2023 went to women.
- 9 per cent of the total distributions made within the field of music streaming in 2023 went to women. The same as in 2021 and 2022.
- 5 per cent of the total distributions made within the field of TV in 2023 went to women. The same as in 2021 and 2022.
- 17 per cent of the total distributions made within the field of radio in 2023 went to women. An increase of six percentage points since 2019.
- 0 women in total feature on five different top 10 lists. The same as in 2022.
- 62 women in total feature on five different top 100 lists. An increase of seven women compared to the previous year.
- 26 per cent of Koda’s new members (those who have been members of Koda for up to five years) are women (in 2019, women accounted for 22 per cent).
- 24 per cent of the total amounts distributed among the new members went to women (in 2019, 15 per cent went to women).
- 11 per cent of all music tracks created in 2023 had both men and women as rightsholders. These tracks received 24 per cent of the distributions made for tracks created in 2023.
For all figures, see Koda’s gender statistics report 2024 (In Danish)
‘Equality does not simply happen by itself. We know very well that long-term effort is required if we are to achieve a more equal gender balance. We will never reach the goal unless we get the entire music scene to pull together as a team. This is why we are now calling on the entire industry to take responsibility. Fortunately, a lot is happening within this area right now, but we need to have everyone on board,’ says Loui Törnqvist.
Focused equality efforts make a difference
The new gender statistics report comes in the wake of a major documentary programme on sexism in the music industry. Created and broadcast by the Danish broadcasting corporation, DR, the documentary saw 150 sources come forward with testimonies about offensive behaviour and pervasive sexism in the Danish music industry. At the same time, the study ‘Why are there so few women in the music industry?’ from 2022, based on 6,000 testimonies from members of Koda and Gramex, also testified to widespread sexism, prejudice and unregulated working conditions for women in Danish music.
‘We know what the causes of inequality are. We’ve heard the stories. Carried out the analyses. A more equal gender balance requires efforts on many levels, including a showdown with several decades of an unhealthy culture and ingrained habits. This kind of thing doesn’t go away by itself. It is difficult to change an entire structure. Still, I’m sure it can be done. In fact, I think we have a duty to do so,’ says Loui Törnqvist.
One of the few pieces of good news in this year’s gender statistics report concerns an increase in income generated within the field of radio for female members of Koda. This proves that if the right steps are taken, it is possible to counteract the imbalance. But the entire music industry needs to stand united, according to Loui Törnqvist, who particularly calls for the streaming services to assume greater responsibility.
‘We can see the difference it makes when DR works systematically and purposefully to promote equality. Even so, there is still a long way to go, and we especially need the big music streaming services to also join the fight.’
Koda’s gender statistics 2024
Koda’s gender statistics report for 2024 is based on data on all living Koda members with a social security number and on the distributions received by them in 2023. This is to say that not all members are included: for example, Koda also represents Faroese members, who do not have a social security number, as well as the heirs of deceased members. The total amounts included in the report cover 99% of the distributions made to all living composers and songwriters who are members of Koda.
Download Koda’s gender statistics 2024
View all Koda’s gender statistics reports for the past five years
