GITNUXREPORT 2025

Book Industry Statistics

Global book industry valued at $123 billion, digital formats and audiobooks thrive.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average age of first-time authors in 2023 was 42 years old.

Statistic 2

The average length of a published novel in 2023 was approximately 80,000 words.

Statistic 3

The average royalty rate for authors traditionally published is approximately 10-15% for hardcover sales.

Statistic 4

The average turnaround time from manuscript acceptance to publication in traditional publishing is about 14 months.

Statistic 5

The average length of bestseller novels is around 100,000 words.

Statistic 6

About 50% of self-published authors struggle to earn $500 annually, highlighting the challenges in self-publishing.

Statistic 7

The number of foreign-born authors published in leading markets increased by 4% in 2022.

Statistic 8

The number of new self-publishing titles increased by approximately 15% in 2022.

Statistic 9

The median royalty rate for self-published authors is approximately 35%, higher than traditional publishing.

Statistic 10

In 2022, the number of new translations of literary works increased by 7% worldwide.

Statistic 11

The average royalty rate for eBooks is generally higher than hardcover, averaging around 25%.

Statistic 12

The average number of books read annually per person in the US was 12 in 2023.

Statistic 13

Approximately 60% of all books are sold through brick-and-mortar bookstores, with the rest primarily sold online.

Statistic 14

The most borrowed library book in the US in 2023 was "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens.

Statistic 15

The global literacy rate was approximately 86% in 2020, impacting global book consumption.

Statistic 16

About 80% of young adults (ages 18-24) read at least one book per year, according to 2023 surveys.

Statistic 17

The average number of pages in adult fiction novels is approximately 320 pages.

Statistic 18

About 55% of books sold in the US are purchased via online retailers.

Statistic 19

In 2023, the most borrowed library genre was fiction, accounting for about 40% of library checkouts.

Statistic 20

About 63% of book buyers in the US purchase books at least once a month.

Statistic 21

The average number of comments or reviews per book online was 25 in 2023.

Statistic 22

Around 40% of readers prefer physical books over digital formats according to 2023 surveys.

Statistic 23

The average aging population globally will boost demand for large-print and accessible books, with a projected growth rate of 4% annually.

Statistic 24

The percentage of adult Americans who read at least one book in their lifetime is around 78%, according to 2023 data.

Statistic 25

The average number of pages in non-fiction books is approximately 250 pages, reflecting diverse subject matter.

Statistic 26

eBooks made up about 25% of all book sales in North America in 2022.

Statistic 27

E-books accounted for about 15% of book sales in emerging markets in 2022.

Statistic 28

The number of audiobooks podcasting channels increased by over 200% between 2019 and 2023.

Statistic 29

The number of digital-only publishers has increased by 25% from 2018 to 2023.

Statistic 30

The percentage of audiobooks sales in relation to total book sales increased by 30% from 2020 to 2023.

Statistic 31

The global book publishing industry was valued at approximately $123 billion in 2023.

Statistic 32

The United States accounted for roughly 39% of the global book market in 2022.

Statistic 33

The global audiobook market was valued at $4.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $13.5 billion by 2030.

Statistic 34

The global print book market experienced a CAGR of 1.2% from 2018 to 2023.

Statistic 35

The number of new book titles published globally reached approximately 2.7 million in 2022.

Statistic 36

Over 70% of book publishers are based in the United States and Europe.

Statistic 37

The number of independent bookstores in the US declined by approximately 30% from 2015 to 2022.

Statistic 38

The global market for educational books was valued at around $31 billion in 2023.

Statistic 39

The US book industry employed approximately 235,000 workers in 2023.

Statistic 40

In 2022, global print book exports totaled approximately $25 billion.

Statistic 41

The number of book translations worldwide increased by 6% in 2022.

Statistic 42

The total number of literary festivals worldwide exceeded 500 in 2023.

Statistic 43

The global comic book market was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 44

The global educational publishing revenue is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030.

Statistic 45

The percentage of books published by major publishing houses is around 70% globally.

Statistic 46

The global children's book market is projected to reach $4.7 billion by 2025.

Statistic 47

Manga and graphic novels accounted for 15% of the global comic book market in 2023.

Statistic 48

The average cover price for adult nonfiction books was approximately $22 in 2023.

Statistic 49

In 2022, the top five countries for book exports were the US, Germany, China, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Statistic 50

Book subscription services grew by 80% in 2023, with over 15 million subscribers worldwide.

Statistic 51

The average number of new books published annually per country is approximately 60,000.

Statistic 52

The global market for niche and specialty books is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% from 2023 to 2028.

Statistic 53

The total revenue generated by the global comic book industry was estimated at $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 54

In 2023, the number of book fairs and literary festivals worldwide exceeded 600.

Statistic 55

The global educational book market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2030.

Statistic 56

The total number of books published annually worldwide is estimated at over 2.7 million.

Statistic 57

The global market for graphic novels and manga is expected to surpass $2 billion by 2025.

Statistic 58

The number of active global book publishers rose by 12% from 2018 to 2023.

Statistic 59

The total global revenue from comic books and graphic novels was approximately $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 60

The average price of a new hardcover book in the US was $27.50 in 2023.

Statistic 61

Self-published books accounted for approximately 30% of all eBook sales in 2023.

Statistic 62

In 2022, the top-selling genre worldwide was fiction, representing 45% of all books sold.

Statistic 63

In 2023, the most popular book format worldwide was hardcover, accounting for 55% of total sales.

Statistic 64

The average profit margin for independent bookstores is around 2-3%, significantly lower than chain stores.

Statistic 65

In 2022, children's books made up around 22% of total book sales worldwide.

Statistic 66

In 2023, audiobook sales increased by 24% compared to the previous year.

Statistic 67

In 2023, the highest grossing book genre was romance, contributing around $10 billion globally.

Statistic 68

About 65% of books sold online are purchased through Amazon.

Statistic 69

In 2023, hardcover books accounted for nearly 60% of total sales, a decrease from previous years.

Statistic 70

Sales of children's eBooks grew by 35% in 2022.

Statistic 71

Book piracy results in estimated global losses of $300 million annually for publishers.

Statistic 72

In 2023, the top-selling series globally was "Harry Potter," with over 600 million copies sold.

Statistic 73

In 2023, the average price of a paperback book was $12.50.

Statistic 74

The average price of a children's book in 2023 was $10.

Statistic 75

The percentage of print books sold in hardcover format increased to 58% in 2023.

Statistic 76

The market share of independent publishers increased by 3% in 2022.

Statistic 77

The top five best-selling authors worldwide in 2023 collectively sold over 250 million copies.

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Key Highlights

The global book publishing industry was valued at approximately $123 billion in 2023.
The United States accounted for roughly 39% of the global book market in 2022.
eBooks made up about 25% of all book sales in North America in 2022.
The average price of a new hardcover book in the US was $27.50 in 2023.
Self-published books accounted for approximately 30% of all eBook sales in 2023.
The global audiobook market was valued at $4.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $13.5 billion by 2030.
In 2022, the top-selling genre worldwide was fiction, representing 45% of all books sold.
The average number of books read annually per person in the US was 12 in 2023.
The global print book market experienced a CAGR of 1.2% from 2018 to 2023.
In 2023, the most popular book format worldwide was hardcover, accounting for 55% of total sales.
The number of new book titles published globally reached approximately 2.7 million in 2022.
Approximately 60% of all books are sold through brick-and-mortar bookstores, with the rest primarily sold online.
The average profit margin for independent bookstores is around 2-3%, significantly lower than chain stores.

The book industry is undergoing a dynamic transformation, with a valuation soaring past $123 billion in 2023 and digital formats like eBooks and audiobooks experiencing unprecedented growth, revealing a vibrant landscape of shifting consumer preferences and innovative publishing trends worldwide.

Author and Publishing Trends

The average age of first-time authors in 2023 was 42 years old.
The average length of a published novel in 2023 was approximately 80,000 words.
The average royalty rate for authors traditionally published is approximately 10-15% for hardcover sales.
The average turnaround time from manuscript acceptance to publication in traditional publishing is about 14 months.
The average length of bestseller novels is around 100,000 words.
About 50% of self-published authors struggle to earn $500 annually, highlighting the challenges in self-publishing.
The number of foreign-born authors published in leading markets increased by 4% in 2022.
The number of new self-publishing titles increased by approximately 15% in 2022.
The median royalty rate for self-published authors is approximately 35%, higher than traditional publishing.
In 2022, the number of new translations of literary works increased by 7% worldwide.
The average royalty rate for eBooks is generally higher than hardcover, averaging around 25%.

Author and Publishing Trends Interpretation

In 2023, while authors are waiting over a year to see their manuscripts in print and most self-published writers struggle to break even, the industry celebrates a global literary tapestry expanding with more foreign voices, longer novels, and a higher share of eBook royalties—reminding us that in publishing, perseverance and adaptability remain the real bestsellers.

Consumer Reading Habits and Demographics

The average number of books read annually per person in the US was 12 in 2023.
Approximately 60% of all books are sold through brick-and-mortar bookstores, with the rest primarily sold online.
The most borrowed library book in the US in 2023 was "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens.
The global literacy rate was approximately 86% in 2020, impacting global book consumption.
About 80% of young adults (ages 18-24) read at least one book per year, according to 2023 surveys.
The average number of pages in adult fiction novels is approximately 320 pages.
About 55% of books sold in the US are purchased via online retailers.
In 2023, the most borrowed library genre was fiction, accounting for about 40% of library checkouts.
About 63% of book buyers in the US purchase books at least once a month.
The average number of comments or reviews per book online was 25 in 2023.
Around 40% of readers prefer physical books over digital formats according to 2023 surveys.
The average aging population globally will boost demand for large-print and accessible books, with a projected growth rate of 4% annually.
The percentage of adult Americans who read at least one book in their lifetime is around 78%, according to 2023 data.
The average number of pages in non-fiction books is approximately 250 pages, reflecting diverse subject matter.

Consumer Reading Habits and Demographics Interpretation

Despite a thriving 86% global literacy rate and Americans reading an average of 12 books annually, the industry’s balance remains delicately split between cozy brick-and-mortar shelves and the click of online purchases, echoing a literary landscape where "Where the Crawdads Sing" remains a borrowed favorite and the average adult novel keeps readers turning approximately 320 pages, all amid a rising tide of accessible large-print volumes catering to our aging population and an engaged community leaving 25 reviews per book online.

Digital and Alternative Formats

eBooks made up about 25% of all book sales in North America in 2022.
E-books accounted for about 15% of book sales in emerging markets in 2022.
The number of audiobooks podcasting channels increased by over 200% between 2019 and 2023.
The number of digital-only publishers has increased by 25% from 2018 to 2023.
The percentage of audiobooks sales in relation to total book sales increased by 30% from 2020 to 2023.

Digital and Alternative Formats Interpretation

While printed books still hold charm, the rapid rise of e-books, audiobooks, and digital publishers signals a profound shift towards a multi-platform literary universe, transforming how we consume stories in the digital age.

Industry Market Size and Valuation

The global book publishing industry was valued at approximately $123 billion in 2023.
The United States accounted for roughly 39% of the global book market in 2022.
The global audiobook market was valued at $4.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $13.5 billion by 2030.
The global print book market experienced a CAGR of 1.2% from 2018 to 2023.
The number of new book titles published globally reached approximately 2.7 million in 2022.
Over 70% of book publishers are based in the United States and Europe.
The number of independent bookstores in the US declined by approximately 30% from 2015 to 2022.
The global market for educational books was valued at around $31 billion in 2023.
The US book industry employed approximately 235,000 workers in 2023.
In 2022, global print book exports totaled approximately $25 billion.
The number of book translations worldwide increased by 6% in 2022.
The total number of literary festivals worldwide exceeded 500 in 2023.
The global comic book market was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2023.
The global educational publishing revenue is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030.
The percentage of books published by major publishing houses is around 70% globally.
The global children's book market is projected to reach $4.7 billion by 2025.
Manga and graphic novels accounted for 15% of the global comic book market in 2023.
The average cover price for adult nonfiction books was approximately $22 in 2023.
In 2022, the top five countries for book exports were the US, Germany, China, the UK, and the Netherlands.
Book subscription services grew by 80% in 2023, with over 15 million subscribers worldwide.
The average number of new books published annually per country is approximately 60,000.
The global market for niche and specialty books is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% from 2023 to 2028.
The total revenue generated by the global comic book industry was estimated at $1.2 billion in 2023.
In 2023, the number of book fairs and literary festivals worldwide exceeded 600.
The global educational book market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2030.
The total number of books published annually worldwide is estimated at over 2.7 million.
The global market for graphic novels and manga is expected to surpass $2 billion by 2025.
The number of active global book publishers rose by 12% from 2018 to 2023.
The total global revenue from comic books and graphic novels was approximately $1.2 billion in 2023.

Industry Market Size and Valuation Interpretation

Despite a steady 1.2% CAGR in print and a booming audiobook market projected to hit $13.5 billion by 2030, the fact that over 70% of global books are published by major houses and independent bookstores in the US decline by 30% reminds us that even in a digital age, the publishing landscape remains a delicate balance of tradition, innovation, and occasional upheaval.

Revenue and Sales Data

The average price of a new hardcover book in the US was $27.50 in 2023.
Self-published books accounted for approximately 30% of all eBook sales in 2023.
In 2022, the top-selling genre worldwide was fiction, representing 45% of all books sold.
In 2023, the most popular book format worldwide was hardcover, accounting for 55% of total sales.
The average profit margin for independent bookstores is around 2-3%, significantly lower than chain stores.
In 2022, children's books made up around 22% of total book sales worldwide.
In 2023, audiobook sales increased by 24% compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the highest grossing book genre was romance, contributing around $10 billion globally.
About 65% of books sold online are purchased through Amazon.
In 2023, hardcover books accounted for nearly 60% of total sales, a decrease from previous years.
Sales of children's eBooks grew by 35% in 2022.
Book piracy results in estimated global losses of $300 million annually for publishers.
In 2023, the top-selling series globally was "Harry Potter," with over 600 million copies sold.
In 2023, the average price of a paperback book was $12.50.
The average price of a children's book in 2023 was $10.
The percentage of print books sold in hardcover format increased to 58% in 2023.
The market share of independent publishers increased by 3% in 2022.
The top five best-selling authors worldwide in 2023 collectively sold over 250 million copies.

Revenue and Sales Data Interpretation

Despite a slight shift towards paperback and digital formats, a golden hardcover silhouette still dominates the global book industry, while the rise of self-publishing, audiobooks, and digital sales remind us that storytelling now wears many formats—and prices—on its sleeve.