Artmarket.com: Art Market Jumps by 12% to $11.1 Billion in 2025

Overall Market Dynamics: Strong Growth and Record Highs

According to the Artprice report published on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the global auction art market generated $11.1 billion in 2025, a rise of 12% compared to $9.9 billion in 2024. The number of lots sold reached 867,000 units, marking an increase of 6.5% compared to 814,300 in 2024. The average price of a piece rose to $12,820 from $12,240 the previous year. The rate of unsold lots stabilized at 32% in 2025, compared to 33% in 2024. The report notes that in the West, Fine Art auction sales reached $9.4 billion, up 15.4%, while in China, the sector recorded a contraction of 5.4% to $1.76 billion. Artprice highlights that 2025 stands as the most dynamic year in the history of the global art market.

Market Geography: American Domination and Revitalization of Paris

The United States dramatically strengthens its leading position with 42.3% of the global art market, recording 178,920 sales amounting to $4.7 billion, marking a 22% growth compared to 2024. China holds on to the second spot with a 16% market share despite a slowdown. The United Kingdom maintains its third position with 13.4% of the global market and $1.5 billion. France sees a 26% increase, totaling $945 million or 8.5% of global revenue, with 131,650 lots sold. Paris emerges as the third-largest art market capital globally with $844 million in 2025, surpassing Hong Kong ($661 million), Beijing ($619 million), and Shanghai ($262 million). The European Union becomes the world leader in the number of transactions and ranks second in terms of revenue. Sotheby's regains its status as the leading auction house with $3.1 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2024, surpassing Christie's, which records $3 billion.