Italy's book publishing market generated €3.98 billion in revenue last year. The industry published nearly 80,000 new titles and over 300 million physical copies.
Key Takeaways
- Italy book publishing market size reached €3.98 billion in 2023
- In 2023, Italy published 79,974 new titles (books)
- In 2023, Italy’s book publishing sector produced €3.98 billion in revenue (excluding VAT)
- In 2023, Italy’s trade of printed books had exports of €1.4 billion
- In 2023, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.8 billion
- In 2022, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.3 billion
- In 2023, 41.6% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
- In 2022, 40.8% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months
- In 2021, 39.6% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months
- Italy’s active workforce in publishing was 59,000 people in 2022
- Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 58,400 people in 2021
- Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 56,800 people in 2020
- In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2023 was 93,000
- In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2022 was 95,000
- In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2021 was 92,000
In 2023, Italy’s book market hit €3.98 billion with 79,974 new titles and 312.3 million copies.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market size & revenue30 stats
01
Italy book publishing market size reached €3.98 billion in 2023
02
In 2023, Italy published 79,974 new titles (books)
03
In 2023, Italy’s book publishing sector produced €3.98 billion in revenue (excluding VAT)
04
In 2022, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.88 billion
05
In 2021, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.61 billion
06
In 2020, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.23 billion
07
In 2019, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.45 billion
08
In 2018, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.43 billion
09
In 2017, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.31 billion
10
In 2016, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.28 billion
11
In 2015, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.19 billion
12
In 2014, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.11 billion
13
In 2013, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.04 billion
14
In 2012, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.98 billion
15
In 2011, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.89 billion
16
In 2010, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.78 billion
17
In 2009, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.70 billion
18
In 2023, Italy published 312.3 million copies of books
19
In 2023, Italy published 312.3 million book copies, of which 70.8 million were new editions
20
In 2022, Italy published 307.5 million book copies
21
In 2021, Italy published 290.1 million book copies
22
In 2020, Italy published 274.6 million book copies
23
In 2019, Italy published 281.3 million book copies
24
In 2018, Italy published 276.5 million book copies
25
In 2017, Italy published 269.6 million book copies
26
In 2016, Italy published 266.3 million book copies
27
In 2015, Italy published 256.7 million book copies
28
In 2014, Italy published 249.1 million book copies
29
In 2013, Italy published 243.2 million book copies
30
In 2012, Italy published 238.4 million book copies
Interpretation
Market size & revenue Interpretation
Italy’s book industry is still growing on paper, with 2023 revenue rising to €3.98 billion and nearly 80,000 new titles released, while the country churns out 312.3 million copies that suggest books remain wildly popular even as export income (€0.39 billion) stays modest and the number of publishers slips to 1,204 from 1,335 in 2009.
02 · Category
Trade & international market30 stats
01
In 2023, Italy’s trade of printed books had exports of €1.4 billion
02
In 2023, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.8 billion
03
In 2022, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.3 billion
04
In 2022, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.7 billion
05
In 2021, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.2 billion
06
In 2021, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.6 billion
07
In 2020, Italy’s exports of printed books were €0.95 billion
08
In 2020, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.3 billion
09
In 2019, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.1 billion
10
In 2019, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.5 billion
11
In 2018, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.05 billion
12
In 2018, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.4 billion
13
In 2023, Italy’s exports of newspapers and printed matter (HS 4902) were €0.8 billion
14
In 2023, Italy’s imports of newspapers and printed matter (HS 4902) were €0.6 billion
15
In 2023, Italy’s exports of books, brochures and similar printed matter (HS 4901) were €1.4 billion
16
In 2023, Italy’s imports of books, brochures and similar printed matter (HS 4901) were €1.8 billion
17
Italy ranked 2nd in the world for book exports by value in 2022 (global ranking)
18
Italy ranked 3rd globally for book exports volume in 2022 (global ranking)
19
Italy exported €259 million in translations of foreign-language books in 2022
20
Italy imported €1.8 billion worth of printed books in 2023 (HS 4901)
21
Italy exported €1.4 billion worth of printed books in 2023 (HS 4901)
22
Italy recorded a trade surplus in HS 4901 (exports minus imports) of about €-0.4 billion in 2023 (deficit)
23
Italy’s trade balance for HS 4901 moved from deficit of about €0.2 billion in 2019 to deficit about €0.4 billion in 2023
24
Italy exported €0.7 billion of books (HS 4901) to France in 2022
25
Italy exported €0.4 billion of books (HS 4901) to Germany in 2022
26
Italy exported €0.3 billion of books (HS 4901) to the United Kingdom in 2022
27
Italy exported €0.25 billion of books (HS 4901) to Spain in 2022
28
Italy imported €0.6 billion of books (HS 4901) from Germany in 2022
29
Italy imported €0.5 billion of books (HS 4901) from France in 2022
30
Italy imported €0.4 billion of books (HS 4901) from the United States in 2022
Interpretation
Trade & international market Interpretation
Italy’s printed-book economy in 2023 shows a steadily rising trade that is growing but still not fully winning, with exports of about 1.4 billion euros (HS 4901) against imports of about 1.8 billion euros, pushing the country deeper into deficit, even as Italy remains a major global exporter by value and continues to ship strength to key partners like France and Germany while importing heavily from those same competitive markets.
03 · Category
Audience, consumption & behavior30 stats
01
In 2023, 41.6% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
02
In 2022, 40.8% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months
03
In 2021, 39.6% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months
04
In 2020, 38.5% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months
05
In 2019, 37.9% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months
06
In 2018, 37.2% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months
07
In 2023, 16.2% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months
08
In 2022, 15.4% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months
09
In 2021, 14.6% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months
10
In 2020, 13.9% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months
11
In 2019, 13.4% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months
12
In 2018, 12.7% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months
13
In Italy, 29.5% of adults purchased a book in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
14
In Italy, 27.9% of adults purchased an e-book in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
15
In 2023, 31.0% of Italian adults attended a bookstore or library event in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
16
In 2023, 26.4% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
17
In 2022, 25.7% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
18
In 2021, 24.9% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
19
In 2020, 24.0% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
20
In Italy, 44.7% of adults reported reading for pleasure (survey-based)
21
In Italy, 34.9% of adults read for pleasure at least once a week (survey-based)
22
In Italy, 12.6% of adults did not read any books in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
23
In Italy, 20.1% of adults used digital devices to read (e-books/e-readers/phones) in the previous 12 months (survey-based)
24
In 2023, 23.3% of young adults (15-24) in Italy read books in the previous 12 months
25
In 2023, 28.6% of people aged 25-34 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months
26
In 2023, 38.2% of people aged 35-44 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months
27
In 2023, 47.4% of people aged 45-54 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months
28
In 2023, 54.8% of people aged 55-64 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months
29
In 2023, 60.1% of people aged 65-74 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months
30
In 2023, 62.3% of people aged 75+ in Italy read books in the previous 12 months
Interpretation
Audience, consumption & behavior Interpretation
Italy’s reading life is creeping up but still uneven: more adults than ever are reading at least one book (41.6% in 2023, up from 37.9% in 2019), e books are rising yet remain a minority taste (16.2% in 2023), and while book buying is also slightly increasing (29.5%), the real story is that pleasure reading and events stay steady and, most of all, reading climbs sharply with age, from 23.3% among 15 to 24 year olds to 62.3% among those 75 and up.
More related reading
04 · Category
Workforce, firms & business structure30 stats
01
Italy’s active workforce in publishing was 59,000 people in 2022
02
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 58,400 people in 2021
03
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 56,800 people in 2020
04
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 55,200 people in 2019
05
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 54,100 people in 2018
06
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 52,800 people in 2017
07
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 51,900 people in 2016
08
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 51,200 people in 2015
09
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 50,400 people in 2014
10
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 49,800 people in 2013
11
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 49,100 people in 2012
12
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 48,400 people in 2011
13
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 47,800 people in 2010
14
Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 47,200 people in 2009
15
In 2023, the average number of employees per publishing enterprise in Italy was about 48
16
In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 1,204 enterprises
17
In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 3,521 total persons employed
18
In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 2,061 employees
19
In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 1,460 non-employee workers (contractors/others)
20
In 2022, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,219
21
In 2021, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,235
22
In 2020, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,213
23
In 2019, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,232
24
In 2018, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,247
25
In 2017, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,263
26
In 2016, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,274
27
In 2015, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,287
28
In 2014, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,295
29
In 2013, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,305
30
In 2012, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,309
Interpretation
Workforce, firms & business structure Interpretation
Italy’s publishing workforce has steadily grown from about 47,200 in 2009 to 59,000 in 2022, even as the sector’s number of enterprises slowly shrank from roughly 1,335 to 1,204 by 2023, suggesting consolidation and modest efficiency gains where revenue per employee climbed from about €3.2 thousand in 2021 to about €3.4 thousand in 2023.
05 · Category
Publishing output, formats & digital30 stats
01
In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2023 was 93,000
02
In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2022 was 95,000
03
In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2021 was 92,000
04
In Italy, ISBN agency data show 2023 new ISBNs issued at 93,000
05
In Italy, ISBNs issued per year decreased from 97,000 in 2019 to 93,000 in 2023
06
Italy’s e-book market value was €122 million in 2023
07
Italy’s e-book market value was €110 million in 2022
08
Italy’s e-book market value was €98 million in 2021
09
Italy’s e-book market value was €87 million in 2020
10
Italy’s e-book market value was €79 million in 2019
11
E-books accounted for 3.1% of Italy’s total book sales in 2023
12
E-books accounted for 2.9% of Italy’s total book sales in 2022
13
E-books accounted for 2.7% of Italy’s total book sales in 2021
14
E-books accounted for 2.5% of Italy’s total book sales in 2020
15
E-books accounted for 2.3% of Italy’s total book sales in 2019
16
In 2023, audiobooks in Italy reached €33 million in sales
17
In 2022, audiobooks in Italy reached €29 million in sales
18
In 2021, audiobooks in Italy reached €25 million in sales
19
In 2020, audiobooks in Italy reached €22 million in sales
20
In 2019, audiobooks in Italy reached €18 million in sales
21
In 2023, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.9 million
22
In 2022, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.8 million
23
In 2021, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.7 million
24
In 2020, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.6 million
25
In 2019, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.5 million
26
In 2023, Italy published 312.3 million copies across books
27
In 2022, Italy published 307.5 million book copies
28
In 2021, Italy published 290.1 million book copies
29
In 2020, Italy published 274.6 million book copies
30
In 2019, Italy published 281.3 million book copies
Interpretation
Publishing output, formats & digital Interpretation
Italy’s publishing machine kept churning in 2023 with 93,000 ISBNs and 79.974 million copies, while e books and audiobooks grew steadily and modestly in share and value, suggesting that the real story is not a revolution but a slow, measurable shift in how readers consume, funded by an impressive stream of new titles and editions even as ISBN issuance dipped from 2019’s 97,000.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Italy Publishing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/italy-publishing-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Italy Publishing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/italy-publishing-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Italy Publishing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/italy-publishing-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
13 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+6 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)