If you’re interested in stats, Spotify has shared how the month of Ramadan has impacted the way users consume music and content. Data was pulled from eight countries including South Africa, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya and Indonesia.

Here’s the data shared that I found relevant:

  1. Spotify says in Ramadan, streaming music, meditative podcasts, and yoga playlists peaks at 8am in the morning.
  2. Quran readings are streamed at night or early morning.
  3. People stream more at night during Ramadan, except for a sudden drop in use during sunset.
  4. In Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria there were drops in Scripted Fiction podcasts, as well as in a range of sports sub-genres, indicating a distinct shift away from entertainment in favour of the more mindful practices in Ramadan.
  5. During Ramadan in previous years, Spotify saw a 53% increase in the streaming of religious podcasts (Quran readings, Islamic lectures, and other digital religious resources).
  6. The top three moods for music streamed on Spotify during Ramadan are ’chill’, ‘happy’ and ‘free’ – states of mind that can all contribute to the experience in Ramadan.

Spotify SSA’s managing director Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy says:

“Music and storytelling, which is what podcasting is, are deeply intertwined in the way we experience the world – whether it be how we celebrate, or in the case of Ramadan, how we contemplate the many facets of our lives. Religion and spirituality are deeply personal experiences, and we are humbled that people turn to Spotify to give expression to these parts of their lives.”