UBS Art Market Report 2025: Art Sector Trends
Even the art market was unable to completely escape the economic policy crises around the world last year. Collectors and investors were reluctant in the face of high inflation, persistent recession fears and impending tariffs - especially when it comes to the type of blue chip. But the latest UBS Art Market Report 2025 also contains some bright spots that paint a picture of the art market of the future.
UBS Art Market Report: Highly Regarded Trend Barometer
The UBS Art Market Report is a groundbreaking annual report that analyses the global art market landscape. It is a joint project of the art fair Art Basel and the major bank UBS and offers a comprehensive analysis of trends and developments in the art market, including various segments such as galleries, auction houses, art fairs and collections. The 266-page report is written by Dr. Clare McAndrew, cultural economist and founder of Arts Economics, and was published in its 9th edition this year.
The five most important findings 2025
The UBS Art Market Report 2025 Paints a mixed picture for 2024: Although the global art market suffered overall losses, exciting new trends are developing at the same time - including more active trade in the lower price segment and the growing importance of female artists. Die Five most important takeaways From the report are:
1. Market volume is falling, but not everywhere
The At 65 billion US dollars, global art revenue fell by around four percent year-on-year. However, this was primarily due to a decline in the “blue chip type.” This is the name of the top segment in which works of art in excess of ten million dollars are traded. Accordingly, auction houses in particular were severely affected, which, at 23.4 billion dollars, sold a total of 20% less than in the previous year. While galleries and art shops were able to increase between four and twelve percent in annual sales of up to five million dollars compared to the previous year, the larger companies lost three percent in turnover of up to ten million dollars and the very big players in the industry even lost seven percent.
2. Focus on women
While the high-price segment shrank, demand for contemporary art — particularly from female artists — grew. Works by Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, Jenny Saville and Simone Leigh achieved new record prices in some cases. Art from Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia is also increasingly being traded internationally.
3. More sales in the lower price segment
In lower price ranges, the price level remained robust across genres and in some cases even made up significant ground. For example, the lower price segment was able to increase by up to 5,000 dollars - both in revenue (up seven percent) and in the number of properties sold, which rose by 13%.
Things also looked good in the mid-price range: As early as 2022, 73% of dealers' sales were for works of art that cost less than 50,000 dollars. This percentage rose significantly by 13% in 2023 and stabilized at 85% in 2024. The total number of transactions rose by three percent to 40.5 million in 2024
The bottom line was that the number of works of art traded grew while prices fell at the same time.
4. Online art sales already account for around 20% of turnover
More art was also sold online: In 2024, online sales accounted for 18% of global art turnover, significantly more than before the 2019 pandemic (around 13%). For galleries and retailers, digital channels accounted for as much as 22% of sales. Particularly remarkable: 46% of online sales from retailers went to new art customers, which represented a significant increase compared to 35% in the previous year.
In addition, online sales were relatively stable: Despite the general market decline, they fell only moderately by eleven percent to 10.5 billion dollars and were thus even 76% above the 2019 level.
5th USA leader, Great Britain back in second place
In terms of global art market shares, the USA maintained its leading role despite a decline to 24.8 billion dollars (minus nine percent) with 43% market share. With 18% market share, Great Britain moved into second place ahead of China, which is interpreted as a signal of the resilience of established art centers despite political uncertainties.
What is the perspective of the art market?
However, the ongoing phase of upheaval also offers new opportunities to enter the world of art investments. Looking ahead to 2025, there is cautious optimism on the market as buyers and sellers calibrate the terrain and adapt to a changing, global art landscape. For example, current developments are also sending strong positive signals — particularly for digital-savvy investors and investors who have not yet been involved in the art world.
Despite global uncertainties, the art market remains a relatively stable asset class with attractive return opportunities. Art can therefore play an important role in a diversified portfolio — especially in times of fluctuating stock markets and low interest rates. Denn Fine art as an asset Is largely independent of traditional financial market cycles and can therefore contribute to stabilization. Furthermore, works of art are not only assets but also cultural statements.
However, the disadvantages of traditional art investments include high barriers to entry, an opaque market and tied liquidity. This is exactly where FINEXITY comes to the rescue. Because about the FINEXITY marketplace Investors can purchase shares of curated works of art online for as little as 500 euros and - if desired - sell them again very flexibly. This form of investment combines the advantages of real tangible assets with the flexibility and accessibility of modern financial transactions. Investors benefit from value creation potential, professional management and a transparent, secure process.
