According to an IFPI press release, world sales of recorded music fell by 7.6% in value in 2003, the year-on-year decline slowed by a stronger second half in the US market, combined with resilient sales in the UK, “the decline affected virtually all major markets, with Western Europe showing particularly sharp falls compared to recent years. Sales in Germany were down 19% in 2003 and down by more than 30% in value since 1999. Denmark, France, Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland also experienced double digit declines. Year on year, the industry has suffered global losses of 20% over the three years since 2000.