We listen to music for 20 hours a week

More than two-thirds of music lovers say that music is important for their mental well-being. — Photography RealPeopleGroup/Getty Images/AFP Relaxnews

Millions of people around the world are turning to music for a bit of diversion and solace in these tough times. Music lovers spend more than 20 hours a week listening to music, according to a new report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

This figure is significantly higher than the 18 hours and 24 minutes that internet users spent listening to music each week in 2021. To reach this figure, the organization studied the music consumption of 44,000 people from 22 countries. It found that more than two-thirds of respondents said music is important for their mental well-being. It also plays an important role in their sports activities: 88% of respondents said that music is used as a soundtrack when they run, compared to 83% for yoga enthusiasts.