The figure rises to 81 per cent among 15- to 24-year olds. TNS estimated the total losses to the music industry to be in the region of HK$1 billion (US$130 million). Of those who have downloaded music for free, 48 per cent have obtained at least 50 songs, while one-in-five have racked up more than 250 songs.
TNS Hong Kong director Stephen Yap said the practice was as prevalent in other parts of the world, including the US, where broadband penetration is high.
Amid legal moves by the industry to crack down on the problem, Yap noted that the industry was at the same time moving, albeit slowly, to embrace the internet as a major channel of distribution.
"In Hong Kong and around the world, as more PCs become connected, broadband penetration continues to increase, wireless networks begin to flourish, the physical distribution of music will eventually disappear altogether.
"The music industry is finally responding to this reality by launching its own online services, some of which are beginning to see commercial success."