Britain’s art market reached 8 billion pounds in 2025, retaining second place globally, a new Arts Economics study finds. Its growth has nevertheless lagged major competitors. Prepared for the British Art Market Federation, the study also describes falling art imports and exports and the importance of small businesses within the country’s galleries and dealers.
The United Kingdom’s art market reached an estimated 8 billion pounds in 2025, retaining second place worldwide and accounting for roughly half of Europe’s market. The British Art Market 1996–2025, prepared by research firm Arts Economics for the British Art Market Federation, compares three decades of trade. It puts the market at 2.6 billion pounds in 1996, while finding that recent growth has trailed its principal competitors.[1], [2]
Art imports in 2025 were 45 per cent below their 2015 value, and exports fell 15 per cent year on year. The study identifies indirect effects and uncertainty surrounding changing US tariff announcements as a possible influence on trade. Federation president Anthony Browne also relayed small businesses’ complaints about increasing regulation. That explanation represents the industry body’s assessment of the pressures facing the market.[1]
The country had about 7,610 art dealers and galleries, approximately a third based in London. Their estimated sales totalled 4.6 billion pounds in 2025, with 89 per cent reporting annual sales of 1 million pounds or less. Art fairs supplied 37 per cent of dealers’ sales. The study conservatively estimated the sector’s tax contribution at 1.5 billion pounds, alongside the trading activity of auction houses and galleries.[1]
