There were 232 releases sound recordings of music in the year 2010, or 49 fewer than in the year 2006 when the number of releases reached its peak of 281. Following the introduction of the CD towards the end of the 1980s the number of releases increased significantly. From 1990 to 1995 the number of releases more than doubled. Since then the growth has levelled out between years. Since the mid-1990s, the number of releases per 1,000 inhabitants has been between 0.7–0.8 (see Figures 1 and 2).

In 2010, three fourths of releases of sound recordings contained pop and rock music of various styles (see figure 3). Releases of classical music and recital and choir singing amounted to 15% of the total number of releases in 2010. The proportion of releases of all other genres of music was significantly lower.

Figures on release of sound recordings of music are derived from the Icelandic National Bibliography which is compiled by the National and University Library of Iceland. The inventory is based on information contained in the central Icelandic library system, Gegnir. The bibliography is dynamic in the sense that a revised edition appears regularly. Figures presented here date from 22 May this