Music is a powerful tool in the fight against global poverty. Our mission is to ensure this happens.
Welcome to the Music Economy Development Initiative
The Music Economy Development Initiative is a partnership of some of the world’s leaders who see music's potential for building a better future.
719 million people around the world live in extreme poverty. Consequently, their lives are shortened and health outcomes are compromised. Their access to education and basic services is restricted. They are often vulnerable to the threat of violent conflict. Numerous tools must be employed to tackle this reality. One such tool, which can be found everywhere, can effectively help combat the scourge of global poverty. That tool is music.
MEDI provides data, evidence, and research simplifying how to understand music, and how to support it. It will work to leverage music's economic potential worldwide and support targeted investments to empower creators, open doors for communities that have been left unheard, and bring more local music to the world.
The power of music is unrivaled. It can inspire humanity and heal us. It marks our celebrations and joy and is a balm for our grief and sorrow. It can move us, and it can soothe us. Even more, music is a powerful tool in the fight against global poverty. It creates jobs, drives economic growth, and helps unite nations through a soft power that can turbocharge international diplomacy.
The Music Economy Development Initiative uses the power of music to help fight global poverty and promote responsible and healthy economic development.
Welcome. We invite you to read the following pages and join our cause.
Why we need train tracks before we can run trains
Read our inaugural report, written in collaboration with music economist Will Page. It explores the untapped economic potential of music globally, delves into existing trends, challenges, and opportunities, and outlines what is needed to unlock and accelerate sustainable growth across the sector.
Country Portal
Music has profound cultural, human, and economic value. For humanity to best benefit from music's powerful attributes, public policies must support the music ecosystem and reflect the crucial role that music and its creators play in society. These policies range from music education and training to support for music venues to clear and robust copyright systems and international trade regimes supporting the global music economy. The MEDI Country Portal is a resource for building and reinforcing those foundations. The portal maps UN Member states' music ecosystem policy and economic data. To start, we present 22 countries, including key socioeconomic data, global IP treaty signatory status, national music policies and strategies, and key music IP institutions and organizations.
Select a country
Disclaimer
The Music Economy Development Initiative is research led by the Center for Music Ecosystems, a 501c3 nonprofit organization in the United States, and an MTU non‑profit research organization based in Estonia, in partnership with Global Citizen, a 501c3 nonprofit organization in the United States.
MEDI is independent and not an expression of any of its additional partner organizations. All data is not meant to adhere to or replicate World Bank standard data collection protocols, nor retain any legal right. It is intended for research purposes only. All data provided is publicly available or aggregated and does not express any thoughts, opinions, or positions of any partners or third‑party entity.
This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.