New research from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has found that adults in the UK are now more likely to rate music as Britain’s greatest export to the world than anything else.

A poll of over 2,000 people (nationally representative) asked respondents what they regarded as being among Britain’s greatest assets that are exported globally. The results showed that two in five people (41%) pointed to British music, signalling their pride in the artform. Compared to responses from 2021, music climbed two places, surpassing the Royal Family (40%) and breakthroughs in medicine (35%) to claim the top spot.

Other exports that rose in popularity included film and television (from fourth to third), theatre and literature (from sixth to fifth), comedy (from seventh to sixth), and sporting excellence (from tenth to seventh).

Interestingly, there were notable declines in pride for British manufacturing (from ninth to eleventh) and innovation in business (from eleventh to twelfth). Pride in our politicians and politics remained at the bottom of the list; however, the proportion who cited this as one of the nation’s greatest exports slipped from 10% to 8%.

The results show that pride in music was most likely to come from older generations. Around 50% of people over 45 cited music as the nation’s best export. Men (43%) were more likely than women (40%) to have this view. Pride in music was also particularly strong among people in Scotland (48%) and Wales (44%).

There were notable regional variations in pride for different exports. In Northern Ireland, 26% felt that fashion was one of the nation’s greatest assets (versus a national average of 19%). In the East of England, 35% pointed to comedy (versus an average of 27%), and in the Southwest, 45% pointed to medical breakthroughs (versus 35%).

Huw Davies, Acting Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra commented: “The snapshot we see in these 2024 results, when compared with those from 2021, reflects a world that has largely returned to normal. Back then, epic events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the build-up to Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee instilled an enormous sense of pride among people, though this may be less prominent in their minds today. However, one constant source of pride has been British music, which continues to resonate with people both at home and abroad.

“In particular, the significance of music as a tool of soft power cannot be overstated. It remains one of this country’s most potent assets in building relationships and overcoming barriers with nations around the globe. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s recent tour of China—our first visit since the pandemic and the first with Music Director Vasily Petrenko—highlights this power. Performing nine concerts in seven cities across China, including Beijing and Shanghai, we attracted capacity audiences and forged partnerships with some of the nation’s most prestigious and influential cultural institutions. This tour was not just a series of performances; it was an endeavour that successfully underscored music’s ability to transcend ideological boundaries to foster deeper connections between the UK and China. The arts, particularly music, are increasingly becoming one of the top cultural exports, demonstrating their unparalleled role in uniting people of different cultures and belief systems.”

Assets people feel are Britain's greatest exports to the world (comparison 2021/2024)

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Guy Bellamy / Jim Follett - elephant communications: Tel - 07766 775216 or 07908 551571

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