In 2023, the global piracy landscape saw over 141 billion visits to pirate sites, marking a significant trend in online content consumption. To better understand these dynamics, we examine how piracy is evolving across various regions. Canada is emerging as a significant hotspot, while Brazil is seeing a decline in piracy rates. Meanwhile, other regions are starting to show concerning growth.
Recent findings from MUSO and Kearney indicate that video piracy is on the rise worldwide. Although the complete report was not yet released, the available data offers a valuable glimpse into the current state of piracy.
Global Piracy Trends by Region
The report includes a detailed analysis that categorizes countries based on their per capita visits to pirate sites and the changes observed from 2018 to 2023. This approach highlights where piracy is most entrenched and where it’s changing.
Countries are divided into four categories:
- Hotspots: High and growing piracy rates per capita
- Recovering: High rates per capita but decreasing
- Emerging Threats: Low rates per capita but rapidly increasing
- Positive Developments: Low and declining rates per capita
In the visualization, the top right quadrant features countries with the highest and fastest-growing piracy rates, while the top left quadrant highlights regions with emerging threats.
Contrasting Trends: Canada and Brazil
Canada is classified as a piracy hotspot, with a high number of visits per capita (+90) and a significant 50% increase from 2018 to 2023. Other countries in this category include Sweden, Hong Kong, and Qatar, while Singapore records the most visits per capita, though with a slower growth rate.
In contrast, Brazil is seeing a decline in piracy rates, potentially due to successful enforcement efforts. While the decrease is modest, it signals a positive trend in a country that has historically struggled with high levels of piracy.
Emerging Piracy Threats (Including the U.S.)
The bottom right quadrant identifies emerging threats, particularly in countries where internet access has grown rapidly. India, Nigeria, and Ghana are leading this category, each with a growth rate exceeding 100%. The United States, typically a leader in total piracy traffic, is now considered an emerging threat due to its rising per capita piracy rate.
Conclusion
This analysis offers a clear overview of how video piracy is evolving across different regions. Keeping an eye on these trends will be essential to effectively addressing future challenges in the fight against piracy.
