A young woman browsing the Spotify music service in Helsinki. LEHTIKUVA
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The majority of Finland’s most played songs are still written by men, with only 15% of the top 100 tracks in 2024 credited to female songwriters. This is despite women making up 21% of Teosto’s members, which include composers, lyricists, and arrangers. The proportion of women among music creators grew only slightly last year.
Teosto, the Finnish copyright organisation for music authors, reported that the share of female members rose to 20.8% in 2024, up from 20.6% the previous year.
Among new members who joined in 2024, the share was higher at 25.6%, suggesting gradual change.
As male songwriters dominate the most played tracks, they also receive the majority of royalties. In 2024, female songwriters received 15.3% of Teosto’s total royalty payouts, a slight decrease from 15.5% the previous year.
Earnings for female songwriters varied across different platforms. Women fared best in radio airplay, where 21.1% of royalties were paid to female creators. In contrast, streaming and social media platforms provided the lowest share, with women receiving just 12.2% of royalties.
Age distribution among top songwriters was more balanced than gender. Around 20% of the top 100 songs were written by creators under 35, while about 30% were from those over 50. While some songwriters repeatedly produce hits, new names continue to emerge each year.
Teosto’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Vappu Aura, emphasised that diversity in music is not only a question of equality but also vital for the future of Finnish music.
“More than half of music students are women, yet female songwriters receive only a small share of performances and royalties. A small country like Finland cannot afford to waste talent. To succeed, we must ensure that all skills are utilised. It’s crucial to monitor these numbers, identify hidden barriers, and take action to improve diversity,” Aura said.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
