Global art sales declined by 4% last year to approximately $65 billion, driven by cautious spending among wealthy buyers amid inflation, high interest rates, and political instability. Auction sales fell by 7%, while dealer sales dropped by 3%, with only China experiencing growth, rising 9% to $12.2 billion. The market for speculative art, particularly NFTs, suffered significantly, with sales plummeting 51% from their peak in 2021.