Who earns the most from music in Croatia? Published list of most successful authors

In 2025, the Croatian Society of Composers and Authors (HDS) revealed significant developments within the country's music industry, highlighting both financial growth and increased engagement with musical content. The professional service of ZAMP, which manages rights and royalties for composers and performers, reported record-breaking revenues totaling €32.71 million from authors' rights, marking a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year. This substantial rise underscores a robust performance across all categories of users, particularly in the public communication segment, which accounted for 77.2 percent of total revenue. Additionally, online earnings from streaming services and user-generated content platforms reached a record high of 15 percent of overall income, indicating a growing shift towards digital consumption of music.

The ZAMP report also emphasized the number of musical events held throughout the year, noting that a total of 46,915 events were recorded in Croatia. This figure represents an 11.66 percent increase over the previous year, averaging approximately 128.5 events per day. The majority of these events consisted of entertainment-related gatherings, with a notable 9.76 percent increase in such events compared to 2024. Concerts featuring light-hearted music saw a significant jump of 19.25 percent, with an average of 31 daily concerts in the entertainment category and eight daily concerts in serious music. These figures reflect a dynamic and expanding music scene in Croatia, supported by both local and international artists.

The ZAMP report further detailed the distribution of earnings among domestic and foreign authors, revealing that domestic authors earned 5.7 percent of the total revenue, while mechanical rights—derived from the sale of sound carriers and related uses—remained steady at around 1 percent. The largest share of revenue within the public communication category came from live music events, including concerts and performances. This highlights the importance of live performances in sustaining the music industry's economic health.

Among the most successful artists in terms of ticket sales, Marko Perković Thompson led the list, followed by Severina, Parni Valjak, Dalmatino, Damir Urban, and Zlatan Stipišić Gibonni. These names represent a diverse range of musical styles and have consistently drawn large audiences. In addition to concert attendance, the report highlighted the most played songs on television and radio stations, with "Anđeo" by Hilson Mandele x Miach taking the top spot, followed by "Ti si bila moje sunce" by Martina Kosovec and "Mali krug velikih ljudi" by Massima.

On digital streaming platforms, the top songs featured Marko Perković Thompson and Hrvatske Ruže with "Ako ne znaš što je bilo," followed by "Anđeo" by Hilson Mandele x Miach and "Forza" by Grše. These tracks reflect the current tastes of listeners who increasingly rely on digital platforms for their music consumption. The ZAMP report also listed the top ten composers based on total earnings, with names arranged alphabetically rather than by earnings. This approach ensures transparency and fairness in the representation of each artist's contributions.

The ZAMP report underscored the continued growth of the Croatian music industry, evidenced by the addition of 648 new members and the registration of nearly 14,000 new works. This indicates a thriving creative environment where both established and emerging artists contribute to the cultural landscape. The report serves as a comprehensive overview of the industry's achievements, providing insights into the trends shaping the future of music in Croatia. As the industry continues to evolve, the role of organizations like ZAMP remains crucial in supporting artists and ensuring they receive fair compensation for their work.