Reference
Art market statistics, 2026
Eight current figures on the global art market, art-fair sales, dealer activity and collector reach. For galleries, writers and researchers who need a clear number and its source.
At a glance
A market returning to growth, with a different operating reality.
Global sales rose in 2025, but the figures point to a more considered market. Fairs again made up more than a third of dealer turnover, online channels remained significant, and almost half of dealer buyers were new to the businesses they bought from.
$59.6bn
Global art-market sales in 2025
Sales rose 4% year on year, returning the market to growth after two years of declining values.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗41.5m
Estimated art-market transactions in 2025
Transaction volume rose 2%, showing that activity continued even as the market adjusted.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗$34.8bn
Dealer sales in 2025
The dealer sector grew 2% globally, with performance differing by region and business size.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗$20.7bn
Public auction sales in 2025
Public auction sales rose 9% in value, with growth concentrated at the high end of the market.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗35%
Share of dealer turnover made at art fairs
Art-fair sales rose four percentage points year on year, reaching their highest share since 2022.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗16%
Share of dealer turnover made online
Online sales fell six percentage points in 2025 as higher-value transactions moved back toward in-person channels.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗49%
Share of dealer buyers who were new to the business
Just under half of buyers were new to the dealer they purchased from, up from 44% in 2024.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗45%
Share of artists represented by dealers who were women
Women accounted for 37% of dealer sales by value in 2025, while primary-market galleries reached gender parity in representation.
Source: Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026 ↗Market snapshot
Where global art-market sales happened in 2025.
- United States
- 44%
- United Kingdom
- 18%
- China
- 14%
- France
- 8%
These four markets accounted for 84% of global art-market sales by value. Read the source report ↗
Methodology and sources
Using this page
Every figure above is drawn from the Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2026, written by Arts Economics and reporting on the 2025 market. Individual statistics link to the relevant source page.
Figures describe the global market or the report’s dealer survey. They are not estimates of one gallery’s results, and should be read with the source’s definitions and survey scope in mind.
Cite this page
blacksquare, Art market statistics, 2026, updated October 1, 2026. https://blacksquare.art/art-market-statistics
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