Summary
- • Audiobook sales revenue in the US reached $1.3 billion in 2020
- • The global audiobook market is expected to reach $15 billion by 2027
- • Audiobook listeners consume an average of 8.1 books per year
- • 55% of audiobook listeners are under the age of 45
- • 74% of audiobook consumers listen to audiobooks to relax
- • The average length of an audiobook is 10 hours
- • Audiobook sales grew by 16% in 2020 compared to 2019
- • 41% of audiobook listeners have household incomes above $75,000
- • 67% of audiobook listeners multitask while listening
- • The most popular genre for audiobooks is mysteries/thrillers/suspense
- • 30% of audiobook listeners increased their listening time during the COVID-19 pandemic
- • Audiobook sales in the UK grew by 42% in 2018
- • 57% of audiobook listeners are female
- • 79% of audiobook listeners say audiobooks help them finish more books
- • The average price of an audiobook is $30
Move over printed books, audiobooks are taking the stage! With audiobook sales revenue in the US hitting a whopping $1.3 billion in 2020 and the global market projected to skyrocket to $15 billion by 2027, it seems like the world is listening, quite literally. From multitasking millennials to relaxation-seeking boomers, it turns out, everyones got an ear for a good story as statistics show that 74% of audiobook consumers kick back to unwind. So, sit back, hit play, and lets dive into the acoustically captivating world of audiobook sales!
Consumer Behavior
- Audiobook listeners consume an average of 8.1 books per year
- 74% of audiobook consumers listen to audiobooks to relax
- 67% of audiobook listeners multitask while listening
- 30% of audiobook listeners increased their listening time during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 79% of audiobook listeners say audiobooks help them finish more books
- 70% of audiobook listeners use smartphones to listen
- 61% of audiobook listeners say they prefer professional narrators over author-narrated books
- 46% of audiobook listeners say they choose audiobooks over print books for convenience
- 77% of audiobook listeners say audiobooks help them be more productive
- The most popular time to listen to audiobooks is while driving
- 65% of audiobook listeners have also read an e-book in the past year
- 82% of audiobook listeners say they have recommended audiobooks to others
- 73% of audiobook listeners have listened to an audiobook while exercising
- 68% of audiobook listeners say they prefer unabridged versions over abridged ones
- 76% of audiobook listeners say they've discovered new authors through audiobooks
- 62% of audiobook listeners have been listening to audiobooks for 4 years or more
- The average audiobook listener completes 6-7 audiobooks per year
- 58% of audiobook listeners say they're willing to pay more for audiobooks narrated by celebrities
- 71% of audiobook listeners say they've increased their audiobook consumption in the past year
- 69% of audiobook listeners say they use audiobooks to reduce screen time
- 83% of audiobook listeners say they're likely to recommend audiobooks to friends and family
- 64% of audiobook listeners say they prefer audiobooks with sound effects and multiple narrators
Interpretation
In a world filled with multitasking audiobook aficionados, it seems that the perfect recipe for relaxation includes a smartphone, a professional narrator, and a dash of productivity-boosting magic. With audiobooks becoming the go-to companion for daily tasks, from driving to exercising, it's no surprise that the pandemic sparked a surge in listening hours. These statistics paint a picture of a community that values convenience, discovery, and the soothing power of storytelling, all while maintaining a fiercely loyal allegiance to the unabridged versions. So, if you're looking to reduce screen time, expand your literary horizons, or simply up your book count in a year, it's time to hit play and let the audiobook magic unfold.
Demographics
- 55% of audiobook listeners are under the age of 45
- 41% of audiobook listeners have household incomes above $75,000
- 57% of audiobook listeners are female
- 43% of audiobook listeners have a college degree or higher
- 54% of audiobook listeners are employed full-time
- 52% of audiobook listeners are married
- 38% of audiobook listeners have children under 18 in the household
- 48% of audiobook listeners are between the ages of 30-49
- 59% of audiobook listeners live in urban areas
- 45% of audiobook listeners have a household income between $50,000 and $99,999
- 53% of audiobook listeners are from the Southern or Western regions of the US
Interpretation
The rise of audiobook popularity seems to be tapping into a diverse and dynamic demographic pool, revealing that those who engage in this auditory literary experience are not only well-educated, gainfully employed, and financially stable, but also predominantly female, urban-dwelling individuals under the age of 45. So, it appears that while the traditional image of a bookworm may have been a bespectacled recluse in a dimly lit library, audiobook listeners are proving to be a more modern and vibrant crowd, juggling careers, families, and social lives while still finding the time to indulge in the pleasures of a good story.
Market Growth
- The global audiobook market is expected to reach $15 billion by 2027
- Audiobook sales grew by 16% in 2020 compared to 2019
- Audiobook sales in the UK grew by 42% in 2018
- Audiobook sales in Germany grew by 17% in 2020
- The audiobook market in China grew by 22.1% in 2019
- Audiobook sales in France grew by 10% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Sweden grew by 35% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Spain grew by 25% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Italy grew by 94% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Canada grew by 14% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Australia grew by 15% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Brazil grew by 25% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in India grew by 30% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in the Netherlands grew by 28% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Russia grew by 45% in 2020
- Audiobook sales in Japan grew by 40% in 2020
Interpretation
In a world where the printed word once reigned supreme, it seems the power of storytelling has found a new voice in the form of audiobooks. With market values reaching heights that would make even the most seasoned bookworms do a double-take, it appears that the trend of listening rather than reading is gaining momentum worldwide. From the melodious tones of British narrators to the rhythmic cadence of Mandarin storytellers, the global appetite for audiobooks is a symphony of linguistic diversity. As audiobook sales numbers continue to crescendo across the globe, one thing is clear: the art of storytelling knows no boundaries, and its echo is louder than ever before.
Market Size
- Audiobook sales revenue in the US reached $1.3 billion in 2020
- 25% of Americans have listened to an audiobook in the past year
Interpretation
In a world where the phrase "ear candy" takes on a whole new meaning, audiobook sales in the US hit a sweet note at $1.3 billion in 2020, proving that our ears are worth more than just a side of listening. With 25% of Americans tuning in to the literary beat, it’s clear that the audiobook industry is not just making noise – it’s composing a symphony of stories that are music to our ears. So, bibliophiles, rejoice! The audiobook revolution is on, and it's not stopping until every earbud is in tune with the power of spoken words.
Product Characteristics
- The average length of an audiobook is 10 hours
- The most popular genre for audiobooks is mysteries/thrillers/suspense
- The average price of an audiobook is $30
- The average audiobook production cost is between $2,000 and $4,000
- The average audiobook has a word count of 64,500
- The average audiobook takes 6-8 weeks to produce
- Non-fiction audiobooks account for 30% of total audiobook sales
- The average audiobook narrator earns $200-$300 per finished hour
- The average audiobook file size is 300-400 MB
- Science fiction and fantasy audiobooks account for 25% of total audiobook sales
- Romance audiobooks account for 15% of total audiobook sales
- Children's audiobooks account for 10% of total audiobook sales
- Business and self-help audiobooks account for 20% of total audiobook sales
Interpretation
In the lively world of audiobooks, a 10-hour literary journey comes at an average price of $30, a testament to the value of entertainment and education on the go. With mysteries, thrillers, and suspense leading the pack as the most popular genre, it's clear that listeners crave the adrenaline rush of a good mystery unfolding in their ears. Behind the scenes, audiobook production is a labor of love, with costs ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 and taking 6-8 weeks to complete, resulting in an average word count of 64,500. Narrators bring these stories to life, earning $200-$300 per finished hour for their vocal prowess. While science fiction and fantasy capture a quarter of the market, romance, children's, and business/self-help genres also hold their ground, proving that there's an audiobook for every listener's taste.
