ReCharge: Annual Reports 2024

ICYMI, today we have collated a handful of annual reports released so far this year, covering gender and intersectional diversity in radio, the recording studio, the classical world and more.

We understand that a lot of the data we share are from the English-speaking world. This is where we look to you for suggestions on other reports from different territories and languages to understand beyond our own limited cultural contexts, of the wider music industry and society at large. There are, of course, additional questions around research, funding and resources as well as issues and limitations around data collation which all act as barriers to gaining these insights, from which we can develop recommendations and best practice in national and international contexts.

Access the reports here:

Gender and Racial Disparity Data Report on UK Radio 2023-2024
(The Why Not Her? Collective)

This report looks at the gender and racial disparity on UK Radio for British Domestic acts over 3 sections. The first section of the report is an analysis of the Top 100 Radio Airplay songs from both UK and International artists. The second section takes a look at the songwriters behind the Top 100 songs on UK Radio. The third section is an analysis of 27 individual radio stations, looking at the gender disparity present in the Top 20 most played songs by British artists.

Gender and Racial Disparity Data Report on Irish Radio 2023-2024
(Why Not Her? Collective)

This report looks at the gender and racial disparity on Irish Radio. The data once again underscores the critical need for systemic change in how radio playlists are curated in Ireland. Despite some progress, only 2% of the Top 100 songs are by Irish female artists (and only 1 living artist; Jazzy), and major labels continue to dominate the airwaves year in and year out, highlighting the need for an urgent intersectional approach for the airwaves.

Equality & Diversity in Global Repertoire
(Donne)

A new report from Donne, Women in Music reveals a disturbing stagnation and regression in the diversity of global orchestral repertoire. Despite years of discussions about the importance of inclusivity, the representation of women and global majority composers in the 2023-2024 season has marginally declined, signalling an urgent need for change in the classical music industry.

Overall data as well as individual charts for each of the 111 orchestras are available on the report.

Diversity Report 2024
(UK Music)

Following the fifth survey since 2016, the findings of the latest UK Music’s Diversity Report are taken from the 2,874 respondents who completed the survey between January and March 2024 from across the UK music industry. While the UK Music Diversity Taskforce continues to have a focus on gender and ethnicity, the Taskforce also recognises the importance of other protected identity characteristics.

Inclusion in the Recording Studio?
(USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative)

A staple in our report reference and an indispensable resource, the annual USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s report breaks down the ‘Gender & Race/Ethnicity of Artists, Songwriters, & Producers across 1,200 Popular Songs from 2012 to 2023’ in the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End charts. The report continues to highlight the disparity on what we don’t see - behind the scenes in the studio.