UK Music’s 2024 Workforce Diversity Survey reveals disparities in gender and sexuality representation, prompting calls for decisive action from the UK Government to improve inclusion and diversity in the music industry.
The UK Government is being urged to act decisively to improve inclusion in the music industry. According to UK Music’s 2024 Workforce Diversity Survey, only 6% of workers identify as gay, while heterosexual employees form the majority at over three-quarters. Bisexual and queer workers represent just under 5% and 3% respectively, and transgender employees make up less than 2% of the workforce.
The survey highlights gender disparity, with fewer women in senior roles compared to mid and entry-level positions. Nevertheless, female senior representation has risen from 40.4% in 2020 to 48.3% in 2024. Representation of black, Asian, and ethnically diverse individuals has also increased, particularly in the 16 to 24 age group, where it rose from 21% in 2021 to 40.6% in 2024.
Ammo Talwar MBE, Chairman of UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce, acknowledged the progress but stressed the need for more efforts to ensure that talent from all socio-economic backgrounds is adequately represented in the industry. Talwar emphasized the necessity for the next government to continue working towards removing barriers to achieve greater diversity.