The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) this week said that global digital music sales jumped 106% in the first half of this year, compared to the first half of 2005, and now comprise 11% of total worldwide music sales. Last December, digital music accounted for 5.5% of total worldwide music sales. For the first six months of 2006, global digital music sales were US$945 million.

According to the report, in the United States, 18% of music sales are digital, with an 84% jump in revenue to $513 million during 1H06. South Korea led all countries with 51% of its music sales happening digitally, compared to Japan at 11%, Italy at 9%, and the UK at 8%.

The IFPI saw a split around the world when looking just at digital music sales: Japan, Italy, and Spain lead music sales via cell phones, with 85%, 76%, and 78%, respectively, of their overall digital sales happening that way. Sales over the Internet to computers dominated the markets in the UK (70%), Germany (69%), and the United States (64%).

However, all that good news didn't help overall 1H06 music sales worldwide, which dropped 4% to $13.7 billion, thanks to a 10% decline in the sale of music on physical media, such as CD, LP, cassette, SACD, and DVD Audio. The IFPI blamed the overall drop on piracy as well as competition in the entertainment world for consumers' money.

In terms of overall music industry sales, Japan, South Korea, and Australia all saw growth, at 12%, 5%, and 6%, respectively, while Germany, the U.S., and France saw declines of 4%, 7%, and 9%, respectively.

Thanks to Playlist for the heads-up.