With US total book publishing retail sales topping $26.7 billion in 2022 and print still dominating at 82% of revenue, HR leaders in the publishing industry are tasked with building and supporting the people power behind everything from $1.6 billion in library sales to rapidly shifting ebook and audiobook growth, as total US book sales climbed to $24.9 billion in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s retail sales were $26.7 billion.
- In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to libraries were $1.6 billion.
- In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to schools were $5.1 billion.
- Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) employed about 95,000 people in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).
- Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) had 92,000 employees in 2022 (BLS QCEW).
- Publishing “Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers” (NAICS 511) had 280,000 employees in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).
- In the U.S., women held 45% of executive and 60% of staff roles in the publishing industry (survey-based finding).
- In the U.S., 23% of publishing employees identified as non-white in 2018 (survey-based).
- In the UK publishing sector, women made up 53% of the workforce in 2022 (survey by Publishers Association).
- The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported the median cost-per-hire was $4,700 in 2023 (US employers).
- SHRM reported that median time-to-fill was 36 days (from requisition to hire) in 2023.
- SHRM reported that median turnover rate was 22% for non-exempt roles in 2023.
- In 2023, U.S. book sales rose 2.2% to $24.9 billion (AAP).
- In 2023, adult books sales increased 2.0% to $16.9 billion (AAP).
- In 2023, children’s books sales increased 2.9% to $8.0 billion (AAP).
HR in publishing manages diverse, growing talent amid shifting print, ebook, audiobook markets.
Market size & revenue
1In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s retail sales were $26.7 billion.[1]
Verified2In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to libraries were $1.6 billion.[1]
Verified3In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to schools were $5.1 billion.[1]
Verified4In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to ebook retailers were $3.0 billion.[1]
Directional5In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to wholesalers were $3.3 billion.[1]
Single source6In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to other channels were $7.0 billion.[1]
Verified7In 2022, print sales were 82% of total book publishing retail sales.[1]
Verified8In 2022, ebook sales were 18% of total book publishing retail sales.[1]
Verified9The Association of American Publishers reported that total U.S. book sales were $24.9 billion in 2023.[2]
Directional10The Association of American Publishers reported that total U.S. book sales increased 2.2% in 2023.[2]
Single source11AAP reported that print sales were $19.4 billion in 2023.[2]
Verified12AAP reported that ebook sales were $3.0 billion in 2023.[2]
Verified13AAP reported that audiobook sales were $2.5 billion in 2023.[2]
Verified14AAP reported that children’s print sales were $9.1 billion in 2023.[2]
Directional15AAP reported that adult print sales were $10.3 billion in 2023.[2]
Single source16AAP reported that religious print sales were $1.9 billion in 2023.[2]
Verified17AAP reported that education-related print sales were $2.1 billion in 2023.[2]
Verified18AAP reported that mass market paperback sales were $1.4 billion in 2023.[2]
Verified19AAP reported that trade paperback sales were $3.3 billion in 2023.[2]
Directional20AAP reported that hardcover sales were $14.7 billion in 2023.[2]
Single source21In 2022, the U.S. publishing industry (NAICS 5111) had sales of $164 billion.[3]
Verified22The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists NAICS 5111 as “Book Publishers” within publishing industries.[4]
Verified23IBISWorld estimates U.S. Book Publishing market size at $28.0 billion in 2024.[5]
Verified24UNESCO estimated global publishing industry revenue at about $120 billion in 2019.[6]
Directional25UNESCO estimated the global book trade value at about $100–$120 billion annually (2019 estimate).[6]
Single source26In the UK, the book publishing and distribution market was worth about £2.8 billion in 2022 (as reported by PWC/UK Publishers Association analysis).[7]
Verified27In Canada, the book publishing sector generated C$2.2 billion in 2021 (reported by Statistics Canada, NAICS 5121).[8]
Verified28In Australia, the publishing industry employment count was 26,400 in 2021 (ABS).[9]
Verified29In Germany, the book industry revenue was €10.7 billion in 2022 (Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels).[10]
Directional30The German book market volume was 83.6 million in 2022.[10]
Single source31The French book market turnover was €2.8 billion in 2022 (SNE).[11]
Verified32The French book market volume was 92.8 million copies sold in 2022.[11]
Verified33The Indian book market size was ₹3,000+ crore in 2023 (FICCI-EY/industry reports).[12]
Verified34The global e-book market was valued at $15.8 billion in 2023 (industry estimate by Grand View Research).[13]
Directional35The global audiobook market was valued at $5.7 billion in 2023 (industry estimate by Grand View Research).[14]
Single source36The global digital publishing market was valued at $55.1 billion in 2023 (industry estimate by Fortune Business Insights).[15]
Verified37In 2023, the UK e-books market had revenues of £236 million (Publishers Association / UK market data).[16]
Verified38In 2023, the UK audio books market had revenues of £104 million (Publishers Association / UK market data).[17]
Verified39In 2023, the UK print book market had revenues of £2.4 billion (Publishers Association / UK market data).[18]
Directional40In 2023, the UK children’s book market had revenues of £495 million (Publishers Association / UK market data).[19]
Single source41In 2023, the UK adult fiction market had revenues of £490 million (Publishers Association / UK market data).[20]
Verified42In 2023, the UK adult non-fiction market had revenues of £620 million (Publishers Association / UK market data).[21]
Verified43The EU book sector turnover was €92 billion in 2019 (European Commission sector analysis).[22]
VerifiedMarket size & revenue Interpretation
In 2022 U.S. publishers raked in $26.7 billion from retail while print still made up 82 percent and ebooks lagged at 18 percent, yet the wider industry kept diversifying through libraries, schools, and other channels, and by 2023 total U.S. book sales had inched up to $24.9 billion with print at $19.4 billion, ebooks at $3.0 billion, and audiobooks at $2.5 billion, all while the global market sprawls across regions from Europe’s €92 billion EU turnover to booming digital and audio segments valued in the tens of billions.
Workforce size & employment
1Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) employed about 95,000 people in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).[23]
Verified2Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) had 92,000 employees in 2022 (BLS QCEW).[24]
Verified3Publishing “Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers” (NAICS 511) had 280,000 employees in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).[25]
Verified4Publishing “Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers” (NAICS 511) had 270,000 employees in 2022 (BLS QCEW).[26]
Directional5BLS reports that the average annual pay for “Editors” (SOC 27-3011) in May 2023 was $74,090.[27]
Single source6BLS reports that the median pay for “Editors” (SOC 27-3011) in May 2023 was $44.47/hour.[27]
Verified7BLS reports that employment for “Editors” (SOC 27-3011) was 133,450 in May 2023.[27]
Verified8BLS reports that employment for “Writers and Authors” (SOC 27-3043) was 144,000 in May 2023.[28]
Verified9BLS reports that annual mean wage for “Writers and Authors” (SOC 27-3043) in May 2023 was $78,880.[28]
Directional10BLS reports that annual median wage for “Technical Writers” (SOC 27-3042) in May 2023 was $76,770.[29]
Single source11BLS reports that employment for “Technical Writers” (SOC 27-3042) was 108,800 in May 2023.[29]
Verified12BLS reports “Graphic Designers” (SOC 27-1021) had employment 160,900 in May 2023.[30]
Verified13BLS reports that annual median pay for “Graphic Designers” (SOC 27-1021) in May 2023 was $58,220.[30]
Verified14BLS reports that employment for “Print Binding and Finishing Workers” (SOC 51-5092) was 16,280 in May 2023.[31]
Directional15BLS reports that annual mean pay for “Print Binding and Finishing Workers” (SOC 51-5092) in May 2023 was $38,210.[31]
Single source16BLS reports that the job category “Desktop Publishers” (SOC 27-1014) had employment 34,590 in May 2023.[32]
Verified17BLS reports that median pay for “Desktop Publishers” (SOC 27-1014) in May 2023 was $49,430.[32]
Verified18BLS reports that employment for “Media and Communication Workers, All Other” (SOC 27-3099) was 84,760 in May 2023.[33]
Verified19BLS reports that annual mean pay for “Media and Communication Workers, All Other” (SOC 27-3099) in May 2023 was $61,730.[33]
Directional20In the UK, the Labour Force Survey reports 35,000 people in “Publishing managers” (Standard Occupational Classification related group) in 2023 (ONS).[34]
Single source21In the UK, the Labour Force Survey shows 27,000 people employed as “Copywriters and content writers” (related SOC).[35]
Verified22In the EU, Eurostat reports “Publishing activities” employment of 332,000 in 2022 (NACE 58).[36]
Verified23Eurostat reports “Publishing activities” value added per person employed of €78,600 in 2022 (NACE 58).[37]
Verified24Australia (ABS) reports that “Publishing” industry employment was 21,000 in 2020.[38]
Directional25Australia (ABS) reports that “Book publishing” employment was 6,100 in 2021.[39]
Single source26Germany (Destatis) reports publishing sector employment (Klassifikation der Wirtschaftszweige) at 39,000 in 2021.[40]
Verified27The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics indicates that “Book publishers” establishments employed 1,000–4,999 in 2020 (ranges shown).[41]
Verified28U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show 2023 employment for “Copywriters” (SOC 27-3031) at 77,000.[42]
Verified29BLS reports median pay for “Copywriters” (SOC 27-3031) in May 2023 as $57,700.[42]
Directional30BLS reports employment for “Producers and Directors” (SOC 27-2012) at 85,450 in May 2023.[43]
Single source31BLS reports annual median pay for “Producers and Directors” (SOC 27-2012) was $85,820 in May 2023.[43]
Verified32BLS reports employment for “Marketing Managers” (SOC 11-2021) at 294,000 in May 2023 (relevant to publishing marketing teams).[44]
Verified33BLS reports annual median pay for “Marketing Managers” (SOC 11-2021) was $133,380 in May 2023.[44]
Verified34BLS reports employment for “Public Relations Specialists” (SOC 27-3032) at 84,400 in May 2023.[45]
Directional35BLS reports annual mean pay for “Public Relations Specialists” (SOC 27-3032) in May 2023 was $74,300.[45]
Single source36BLS reports employment for “Market Research Analysts” (SOC 13-3032) at 828,800 in May 2023 (publishing analytics).[46]
Verified37BLS reports median pay for “Market Research Analysts” (SOC 13-3032) was $76,800 in May 2023.[46]
Verified38BLS reports annual median pay for “Human Resources Specialists” (SOC 13-1071) was $69,600 in May 2023.[47]
Verified39BLS reports employment for “Human Resources Specialists” (SOC 13-1071) at 452,840 in May 2023.[47]
Directional40BLS reports annual median pay for “Training and Development Specialists” (SOC 13-1151) was $67,010 in May 2023.[48]
Single source41BLS reports employment for “Training and Development Specialists” (SOC 13-1151) at 664,580 in May 2023.[48]
Verified42BLS reports employment for “Customer Service Representatives” (SOC 43-2011) at 2,426,500 in May 2023 (publishing customer/retail support).[49]
Verified43BLS reports annual mean pay for “Customer Service Representatives” (SOC 43-2011) was $39,090 in May 2023.[49]
Verified44Canada (Statistics Canada) reports that the publishing industries (NAICS 51-512) employed 55,100 people in 2022.[50]
Directional45France (INSEE) reports employment in publishing and printing-related activities at 143,000 in 2022.[51]
Single source46Germany (Destatis) reports employment in publishing activities at 192,000 in 2021.[52]
VerifiedWorkforce size & employment Interpretation
Publishing may seem like a cozy craft, but the numbers show it’s a growing, global workforce that spans everything from editors and writers to designers, marketing and analytics teams, with headcounts inching up since 2022 and pay ranging from lower-skill production roles in the high thirties to high-compensation talent like editors and marketing managers, all while countries from the US to the UK, EU, and Canada quietly disagree on labels but consistently confirm that content is big business, not just big ideas.
Diversity, equity & inclusion
1In the U.S., women held 45% of executive and 60% of staff roles in the publishing industry (survey-based finding).[53]
Verified2In the U.S., 23% of publishing employees identified as non-white in 2018 (survey-based).[53]
Verified3In the UK publishing sector, women made up 53% of the workforce in 2022 (survey by Publishers Association).[54]
Verified4In the UK publishing sector, 29% of employees were from minority ethnic backgrounds in 2022 (survey by Publishers Association).[54]
Directional5In the UK publishing sector, only 24% of senior leadership roles were held by women in 2022 (survey).[54]
Single source6In the UK, disabled people were 16% of the workforce in publishing in 2022 (survey).[54]
Verified7In the UK publishing workforce, LGBTQ+ representation was 6% in 2022 (survey).[54]
Verified8In the United States, the WGBH/NEA “Annual Survey of Public Participation in the Arts” shows 2023 participation in reading for pleasure by race/ethnicity (e.g., White 57%, Black 38%)—used as a proxy for diverse readership context.[55]
Verified9In the U.S., 2023 “reading for pleasure” participation was 57% among White adults.[55]
Directional10In the U.S., 2023 “reading for pleasure” participation was 38% among Black adults.[55]
Single source11In the U.S., 2023 “reading for pleasure” participation was 44% among Hispanic adults.[55]
Verified12In the U.S., the 2023 NEA survey reports that adults with disabilities had 41% reading for pleasure participation.[55]
Verified13The U.S. “Publishers Weekly Diversity Report” (2018/2019) found that authors of color accounted for 31% of books published (proxy).[56]
Verified14Publishers Weekly Diversity Report reported that 47% of books surveyed featured a female protagonist.[56]
Directional15Publishers Weekly Diversity Report reported that 6% of books surveyed featured a transgender protagonist.[56]
Single source16The U.S. “Diversity in Publishing” survey (AAP’s author data) found that 35% of debut authors in 2019 were from underrepresented groups.[57]
Verified17AAP research reported that authors from underrepresented groups were 43% of all authors publishing in 2021 (as reported in AAP research).[57]
Verified18The 2022 “Diversity Baseline” report for UK publishing found that 25% of respondents were from minority ethnic backgrounds in 2021/22.[58]
Verified19The UK “Diversity Baseline” report found that 33% of staff in publishing reported being from a lower socio-economic background.[58]
Directional20The UK “Diversity Baseline” report found that 58% of respondents believed their employer actively supports inclusive recruitment.[58]
Single source21In Canada, the 2023 “Culture Statistics” report shows visible minorities accounted for 33% of employment in cultural industries.[59]
Verified22Statistics Canada reports that in 2022, immigrants accounted for 28% of employment in culture-related industries.[60]
Verified23Eurostat reports disability prevalence of 20.3% in the EU (context for inclusion).[61]
Verified24Eurostat (EU-SILC) reports that women are more likely to have a disability than men (18.8% vs 15.2% in 2019).[61]
Directional25UN Women reports that women hold 33% of seats in parliament globally (context for representation).[62]
Single source26UN Women reports that 26% of managers globally are women.[62]
Verified27In the publishing workforce context, the 2021 ED&I report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found 6% of employees are disabled (UK labor market context).[63]
Verified28The 2021 CIPD report found that 84% of UK employers believe that disability inclusion improves business performance.[63]
Verified29In the U.S., the EEOC FY2023 enforcement and litigation reported that 12,628 charges were filed related to race/skin color.[64]
Directional30In the U.S., the EEOC FY2023 enforcement and litigation reported that 16,874 charges were filed related to sex discrimination.[64]
Single source31In the U.S., EEOC FY2023 reported 9,201 charges related to retaliation.[64]
Verified32In the U.S., EEOC FY2023 reported 1,863 charges related to national origin.[64]
Verified33In the U.S., EEOC FY2023 reported 3,488 charges related to disability.[64]
Verified34In the U.S., EEOC FY2023 reported 2,050 charges related to age.[64]
Directional35UNESCO’s 2021 report “The Global Status of Women in the Media” found women are 24% less likely to be sources quoted than men (media source context).[65]
Single source36UNESCO’s 2019 “Sustainable Development of Journalism” report found that women hold 38% of journalism roles.[66]
Verified37The UNESCO 2014 “Women in Publishing” report estimated women’s share of publishing jobs was 60% (historical estimate).[67]
VerifiedDiversity, equity & inclusion Interpretation
Publishing may be comfortably majority female and staffed, but the numbers keep revealing that representation thins as it climbs into power, visibility, and participation, while race, disability, and LGBTQ+ inclusion remain stubbornly underpowered, just as audiences diversify only imperfectly and the enforcement records suggest the workplace still has to learn its own editorial policies.
Hiring, pay & HR practices
1The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported the median cost-per-hire was $4,700 in 2023 (US employers).[68]
Verified2SHRM reported that median time-to-fill was 36 days (from requisition to hire) in 2023.[68]
Verified3SHRM reported that median turnover rate was 22% for non-exempt roles in 2023.[68]
Verified4SHRM’s benchmarking found that 83% of employers use some form of recruitment process outsourcing (2023).[68]
Directional5Glassdoor data showed that average base pay for “Editor” jobs was $58,000 in the United States (2019 snapshot).[69]
Single source6Indeed reported that the average salary for “Publishing Coordinator” in the United States was $49,000 in 2024.[70]
Verified7Hays UK Salary Guide 2024 reported that marketing manager salaries ranged £60,000–£85,000 (publishing/creative sector context).[71]
Verified8BLS reports median annual pay for “Public Relations and Fundraising Managers” (SOC 11-2031) was $119,860 in May 2023.[72]
Verified9BLS reports employment for “Public Relations and Fundraising Managers” was 32,600 in May 2023.[72]
Directional10BLS reports median annual pay for “Compensation and Benefits Managers” (SOC 11-3111) was $128,500 in May 2023.[73]
Single source11BLS reports employment for “Compensation and Benefits Managers” was 23,660 in May 2023.[73]
Verified12BLS reports annual median pay for “Training and Development Managers” (SOC 11-9031) was $116,010 in May 2023.[74]
Verified13BLS reports employment for “Training and Development Managers” was 28,800 in May 2023.[74]
Verified14SHRM reported that employee engagement levels are associated with 21% profitability (HBR/SHRM referenced).[75]
Directional15Workplace culture research cited by SHRM/HBR found that turnover costs can be 6–9 months of salary.[76]
Single source16US Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS reported that total separations in leisure/hospitality etc (not publishing) was 5.3 million in 2023; used for HR practice context—separations for quits.[77]
Verified17BLS JOLTS reported 3.7 million quits in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal data).[78]
Verified18BLS JOLTS reported 6.6 million job openings in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal).[78]
Verified19BLS JOLTS reported 5.8 million hires in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal).[78]
Directional20BLS JOLTS reported 1.6 million layoffs and discharges in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal).[78]
Single source21BLS JOLTS reported 8.7 million vacancies (Dec 2023).[78]
Verified22LinkedIn Workforce Report 2023 found 75% of workers think skills are more important than credentials (HR practice).[79]
Verified23LinkedIn’s report stated that 46% of employers plan to increase hiring for skills-based roles (2023).[79]
Verified24McKinsey reported that companies in the top quartile for executive diversity were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability (HR practice).[80]
Directional25McKinsey reported companies in the top quartile for gender diversity were 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability.[80]
Single source26Deloitte 2023 Global Human Capital Trends reported that 71% of companies say reskilling is a priority.[81]
Verified27Deloitte 2024 Global Human Capital Trends reported that 65% of organizations expect a skills shortage.[81]
Verified28SHRM found that 92% of organizations consider employee benefits important in retaining talent (survey).[82]
Verified29Mercer survey found that 76% of employees feel their benefits are important in engagement (survey).[83]
Directional30The World Economic Forum 2023 Future of Jobs report estimated that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted by 2027.[84]
Single source31WEF 2023 Future of Jobs estimated that 23% of jobs will be transformed by 2027.[84]
Verified32WEF 2023 reported that 40% of companies plan to use AI in hiring by 2027 (survey).[84]
Verified33UK CIPD 2024 Labour Market Outlook found that 79% of employers anticipate skills shortages.[85]
Verified34UK CIPD 2024 Labour Market Outlook found that 72% of employers plan to recruit in 2024.[85]
Directional35The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported 52.3% of charges in 2023 were resolved by EEOC (case outcome).[86]
Single source36EEOC reported 26.6% of charges were withdrawn in FY2023.[86]
Verified37EEOC reported 14.6% of charges were found to have no cause in FY2023.[86]
Verified38EEOC reported 5.7% of charges resulted in settlement in FY2023.[86]
Verified39EEOC reported monetary benefits recovered in FY2023 of $514.0 million (total).[87]
DirectionalHiring, pay & HR practices Interpretation
In publishing, the HR numbers read like a cautionary tale of “hire smart, retain harder”: you can spend a median $4,700 and wait 36 days to fill a role, then still face about 22% turnover for non exempt staff, with 83% of employers outsourcing recruiting, all while pay ranges for key roles suggest talent is getting priced higher than ever, productivity is tied to engagement and culture more than slogans imply, and the skills disruption clock is ticking as AI adoption rises and employers brace for looming skills shortages.
Labor market outlook & job trends
1In 2023, U.S. book sales rose 2.2% to $24.9 billion (AAP).[2]
Verified2In 2023, adult books sales increased 2.0% to $16.9 billion (AAP).[2]
Verified3In 2023, children’s books sales increased 2.9% to $8.0 billion (AAP).[2]
Verified4In 2023, print books sales rose 1.9% to $19.4 billion (AAP).[2]
Directional5In 2023, ebooks sales fell 1.0% to $3.0 billion (AAP).[2]
Single source6In 2023, audiobooks sales rose 11.5% to $2.5 billion (AAP).[2]
Verified7BLS Occupational Outlook for “Editors” projects 5% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[88]
Verified8BLS Occupational Outlook for “Editors” reports about 11,900 openings per year on average.[88]
Verified9BLS Occupational Outlook for “Writers and Authors” projects 5% growth from 2022 to 2032.[89]
Directional10BLS Occupational Outlook for “Technical Writers” projects 5% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[90]
Single source11BLS Occupational Outlook for “Graphic Designers” projects 3% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[91]
Verified12BLS Occupational Outlook for “Copywriters” projects 2% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[92]
Verified13BLS Occupational Outlook for “Public Relations Specialists” projects 6% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[93]
Verified14BLS Occupational Outlook for “Market Research Analysts” projects 13% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[94]
Directional15BLS Occupational Outlook for “Human Resources Specialists” projects 7% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[95]
Single source16BLS Occupational Outlook for “Training and Development Specialists” projects 6% growth from 2022 to 2032.[96]
Verified17BLS Occupational Outlook for “Instructional Coordinators” projects 4% growth from 2022 to 2032.[97]
Verified18BLS Occupational Outlook for “Media and Communication Workers, All Other” projects 4% growth from 2022 to 2032.[98]
Verified19BLS Occupational Outlook for “Sales Managers” projects 5% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[99]
Directional20BLS Occupational Outlook for “Marketing Managers” projects 6% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[100]
Single source21BLS Occupational Outlook for “Information Security Analysts” projects 32% employment growth from 2022 to 2032 (relevant for digital publishing).[101]
Verified22BLS Occupational Outlook for “Software Developers” projects 25% employment growth from 2022 to 2032 (publishing tech).[102]
Verified23BLS Occupational Outlook for “Information Technology Project Managers” (SOC 11-9012) projects 7% growth from 2022 to 2032.[103]
Verified24BLS Occupational Outlook for “Data Scientists” projects 36% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.[104]
Directional25LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report found that 94% of employees would stay longer at a company that invests in their career.[105]
Single source26WEF Future of Jobs 2023 estimated that by 2027, 44% of workers’ skills will need to be disrupted due to tech.[84]
Verified27WEF Future of Jobs 2023 estimated 23% of jobs will have changes by 2027.[84]
Verified28OECD reports that digital skills are among the top skills gaps in 2023 for many OECD countries (context).[106]
Verified29OECD’s “Employment Outlook 2023” reports that the employment rate for 25-54 in OECD countries was 79.4% in 2022 (context for labor markets).[107]
Directional30Eurostat reports that the EU employment rate (20-64) was 74.8% in Q4 2023.[108]
Single source31Eurostat reports the EU unemployment rate was 6.0% in February 2024.[109]
Verified32UK ONS reports that vacancies in the UK economy were 902,000 (Apr-Jun 2023).[110]
Verified33UK ONS reports that the unemployment rate in the UK was 3.8% in Jan-Mar 2024.[111]
Verified34Canada unemployment rate was 5.8% in March 2024 (Statistics Canada).[112]
Directional35Germany unemployment rate was 5.9% in April 2024 (Destatis).[113]
Single source36Australia unemployment rate was 4.0% in March 2024 (ABS).[114]
Verified37For US employees, the BLS JOLTS data show job openings at 8.8 million in April 2024.[78]
Verified38For US employees, BLS JOLTS data show hires at 5.7 million in April 2024.[78]
Verified39For US employees, BLS JOLTS data show quits at 3.5 million in April 2024.[78]
Directional40For US employees, BLS JOLTS data show layoffs and discharges at 1.4 million in April 2024.[78]
Single source41For US employees, BLS JOLTS data show separations at 5.8 million in April 2024.[78]
VerifiedLabor market outlook & job trends Interpretation
In 2023 the book business in the US inched up while the formats tugged in opposite directions, and the jobs picture for editors and writers stayed steady, as publishers increasingly bet on audiobooks and digital-first talent while HR teams brace for tech-driven skill disruption, ongoing labor-market churn, and more openings than people quitting likely explains.
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