This study explores the application of a multicultural perspective in music education and its impact on the improvement of students' musical literacy. Through literature review and empirical research, the theoretical basis, development status and application of multicultural music education in different countries and regions are analyzed. Research results show that multicultural music education can effectively improve students' music perception, creativity and performance abilities, and promote their understanding and tolerance of different cultures. Through case analysis, it reveals the implementation strategies and effects of multicultural music education in actual teaching, and proposes multicultural music education models and teaching strategies suitable for China's national conditions. The study points out that although multicultural music education faces challenges such as cultural differences, uneven resources and insufficient teacher training, these difficulties can be effectively overcome by strengthening teacher training, increasing resource investment and social support. In the future, music education should pay more attention to the integration of multicultural perspectives to adapt to the needs of multicultural exchanges in the context of globalization and provide students with a richer music learning experience.