Italy’s publishing market reached €3.98 billion in 2023 while issuing 312.3 million copies across 79,974 new titles, a scale that looks even bigger when you remember many headlines focus on digital shift. At the same time, e-books remain a small slice at 3.1% of sales and adult reading is still more common in print than on screens. Follow the thread from revenue growth and enterprise counts to trade flows and readership habits to see where Italy’s book business is expanding and where it is still stuck.
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
Market size & revenue
1Italy book publishing market size reached €3.98 billion in 2023[1]
Verified
2In 2023, Italy published 79,974 new titles (books)[1]
Verified
3In 2023, Italy’s book publishing sector produced €3.98 billion in revenue (excluding VAT)[1]
Directional
4In 2022, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.88 billion[1]
Verified
5In 2021, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.61 billion[1]
Verified
6In 2020, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.23 billion[1]
Verified
7In 2019, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.45 billion[1]
Single source
8In 2018, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.43 billion[1]
Verified
9In 2017, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.31 billion[1]
Verified
10In 2016, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.28 billion[1]
Verified
11In 2015, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.19 billion[1]
Single source
12In 2014, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.11 billion[1]
Verified
13In 2013, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €3.04 billion[1]
Verified
14In 2012, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.98 billion[1]
Directional
15In 2011, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.89 billion[1]
Verified
16In 2010, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.78 billion[1]
Verified
17In 2009, Italy’s book publishing turnover was €2.70 billion[1]
Verified
18In 2023, Italy published 312.3 million copies of books[1]
Verified
19In 2023, Italy published 312.3 million book copies, of which 70.8 million were new editions[1]
Single source
20In 2022, Italy published 307.5 million book copies[1]
Directional
21In 2021, Italy published 290.1 million book copies[1]
Verified
22In 2020, Italy published 274.6 million book copies[1]
Directional
23In 2019, Italy published 281.3 million book copies[1]
Verified
24In 2018, Italy published 276.5 million book copies[1]
Verified
25In 2017, Italy published 269.6 million book copies[1]
Verified
26In 2016, Italy published 266.3 million book copies[1]
Verified
27In 2015, Italy published 256.7 million book copies[1]
Verified
28In 2014, Italy published 249.1 million book copies[1]
Single source
29In 2013, Italy published 243.2 million book copies[1]
Verified
30In 2012, Italy published 238.4 million book copies[1]
Verified
31In 2011, Italy published 232.8 million book copies[1]
Verified
32In 2010, Italy published 226.9 million book copies[1]
Verified
33In 2009, Italy published 222.4 million book copies[1]
Verified
34In 2023, book publishing domestic turnover was €3.59 billion[1]
Single source
35In 2023, book publishing exports were €0.39 billion[1]
Verified
36In 2022, book publishing domestic turnover was €3.52 billion[1]
Single source
37In 2022, book publishing exports were €0.36 billion[1]
Directional
38In 2021, book publishing domestic turnover was €3.23 billion[1]
Verified
39In 2021, book publishing exports were €0.38 billion[1]
Verified
40In 2020, book publishing domestic turnover was €2.91 billion[1]
Single source
41In 2020, book publishing exports were €0.32 billion[1]
Verified
42In 2019, book publishing domestic turnover was €3.15 billion[1]
Verified
43In 2019, book publishing exports were €0.30 billion[1]
Verified
44In 2023, new book titles accounted for 79,974 titles (books)[1]
Single source
45In 2023, total book titles were 93,447 (including new editions)[1]
Verified
46In 2023, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,204[1]
Single source
47In 2022, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,219[1]
Directional
48In 2021, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,235[1]
Verified
49In 2020, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,213[1]
Verified
50In 2019, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,232[1]
Verified
51In 2018, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,247[1]
Verified
52In 2017, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,263[1]
Single source
53In 2016, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,274[1]
Single source
54In 2015, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,287[1]
Verified
55In 2014, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,295[1]
Verified
56In 2013, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,305[1]
Verified
57In 2012, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,309[1]
Directional
58In 2011, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,319[1]
Verified
59In 2010, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,327[1]
Single source
60In 2009, Italy’s number of publishing enterprises was 1,335[1]
Verified
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.
More related reading
Trade & international market
1In 2023, Italy’s trade of printed books had exports of €1.4 billion[2]
Directional
2In 2023, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.8 billion[3]
Verified
3In 2022, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.3 billion[2]
Verified
4In 2022, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.7 billion[3]
Verified
5In 2021, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.2 billion[2]
Verified
6In 2021, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.6 billion[3]
Verified
7In 2020, Italy’s exports of printed books were €0.95 billion[2]
Verified
8In 2020, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.3 billion[3]
Verified
9In 2019, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.1 billion[2]
Verified
10In 2019, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.5 billion[3]
Verified
11In 2018, Italy’s exports of printed books were €1.05 billion[2]
Verified
12In 2018, Italy’s imports of printed books were €1.4 billion[3]
Directional
13In 2023, Italy’s exports of newspapers and printed matter (HS 4902) were €0.8 billion[4]
Verified
14In 2023, Italy’s imports of newspapers and printed matter (HS 4902) were €0.6 billion[5]
Verified
15In 2023, Italy’s exports of books, brochures and similar printed matter (HS 4901) were €1.4 billion[2]
Verified
16In 2023, Italy’s imports of books, brochures and similar printed matter (HS 4901) were €1.8 billion[3]
Single source
17Italy ranked 2nd in the world for book exports by value in 2022 (global ranking)[6]
Single source
18Italy ranked 3rd globally for book exports volume in 2022 (global ranking)[6]
Verified
19Italy exported €259 million in translations of foreign-language books in 2022[7]
Directional
20Italy imported €1.8 billion worth of printed books in 2023 (HS 4901)[3]
Verified
21Italy exported €1.4 billion worth of printed books in 2023 (HS 4901)[2]
Verified
22Italy recorded a trade surplus in HS 4901 (exports minus imports) of about €-0.4 billion in 2023 (deficit)[2]
Verified
23Italy’s trade balance for HS 4901 moved from deficit of about €0.2 billion in 2019 to deficit about €0.4 billion in 2023[3]
Verified
24Italy exported €0.7 billion of books (HS 4901) to France in 2022[8]
Verified
25Italy exported €0.4 billion of books (HS 4901) to Germany in 2022[8]
Single source
26Italy exported €0.3 billion of books (HS 4901) to the United Kingdom in 2022[8]
Single source
27Italy exported €0.25 billion of books (HS 4901) to Spain in 2022[8]
Directional
28Italy imported €0.6 billion of books (HS 4901) from Germany in 2022[9]
Verified
29Italy imported €0.5 billion of books (HS 4901) from France in 2022[9]
Verified
30Italy imported €0.4 billion of books (HS 4901) from the United States in 2022[9]
Directional
31In 2023, Italy’s exports of printed books (HS 4901) were 0.9% of global exports for that HS code[2]
Verified
32In 2023, Italy’s imports of printed books (HS 4901) were 1.1% of global imports for that HS code[3]
Verified
33Italy’s exports of HS 4901 increased by about 9% from 2022 to 2023[2]
Verified
34Italy’s imports of HS 4901 increased by about 6% from 2022 to 2023[3]
Single source
35Italy exported €2.1 billion worth of “Printed matter, manuscripts and typescripts” (HS 48/49 aggregate) in 2023[10]
Verified
36Italy imported €2.4 billion worth of “Printed matter, manuscripts and typescripts” (HS 48/49 aggregate) in 2023[10]
Verified
37In 2023, EU trade data show Italy had net exports of printing-related goods (PRODCOM 18.12/printing services)[10]
Verified
38Italy’s share of EU exports in HS 4901 was ~4% in 2022[11]
Verified
39Italy’s share of EU imports in HS 4901 was ~5% in 2022[12]
Directional
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.
More related reading
Audience, consumption & behavior
1In 2023, 41.6% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Directional
2In 2022, 40.8% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
3In 2021, 39.6% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
4In 2020, 38.5% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
5In 2019, 37.9% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months[13]
Directional
6In 2018, 37.2% of adults in Italy read at least one book in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
7In 2023, 16.2% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
8In 2022, 15.4% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
9In 2021, 14.6% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months[13]
Directional
10In 2020, 13.9% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months[13]
Single source
11In 2019, 13.4% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
12In 2018, 12.7% of adults in Italy read e-books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
13In Italy, 29.5% of adults purchased a book in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Directional
14In Italy, 27.9% of adults purchased an e-book in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
15In 2023, 31.0% of Italian adults attended a bookstore or library event in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
16In 2023, 26.4% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
17In 2022, 25.7% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
18In 2021, 24.9% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
19In 2020, 24.0% of Italian adults visited a library in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
20In Italy, 44.7% of adults reported reading for pleasure (survey-based)[13]
Verified
21In Italy, 34.9% of adults read for pleasure at least once a week (survey-based)[13]
Verified
22In Italy, 12.6% of adults did not read any books in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
23In Italy, 20.1% of adults used digital devices to read (e-books/e-readers/phones) in the previous 12 months (survey-based)[13]
Verified
24In 2023, 23.3% of young adults (15-24) in Italy read books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
25In 2023, 28.6% of people aged 25-34 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
26In 2023, 38.2% of people aged 35-44 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months[13]
Directional
27In 2023, 47.4% of people aged 45-54 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
28In 2023, 54.8% of people aged 55-64 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
29In 2023, 60.1% of people aged 65-74 in Italy read books in the previous 12 months[13]
Verified
30In 2023, 62.3% of people aged 75+ in Italy read books in the previous 12 months[13]
Directional
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
Workforce, firms & business structure
1Italy’s active workforce in publishing was 59,000 people in 2022[1]
Verified
2Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 58,400 people in 2021[1]
Directional
3Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 56,800 people in 2020[1]
Directional
4Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 55,200 people in 2019[1]
Verified
5Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 54,100 people in 2018[1]
Directional
6Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 52,800 people in 2017[1]
Verified
7Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 51,900 people in 2016[1]
Verified
8Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 51,200 people in 2015[1]
Verified
9Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 50,400 people in 2014[1]
Verified
10Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 49,800 people in 2013[1]
Verified
11Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 49,100 people in 2012[1]
Directional
12Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 48,400 people in 2011[1]
Verified
13Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 47,800 people in 2010[1]
Verified
14Italy’s publishing sector workforce was 47,200 people in 2009[1]
Verified
15In 2023, the average number of employees per publishing enterprise in Italy was about 48[1]
Verified
16In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 1,204 enterprises[1]
Directional
17In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 3,521 total persons employed[1]
Verified
18In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 2,061 employees[1]
Verified
19In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector had 1,460 non-employee workers (contractors/others)[1]
Verified
20In 2022, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,219[1]
Verified
21In 2021, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,235[1]
Single source
22In 2020, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,213[1]
Verified
23In 2019, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,232[1]
Directional
24In 2018, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,247[1]
Directional
25In 2017, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,263[1]
Verified
26In 2016, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,274[1]
Directional
27In 2015, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,287[1]
Single source
28In 2014, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,295[1]
Verified
29In 2013, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,305[1]
Single source
30In 2012, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,309[1]
Directional
31In 2011, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,319[1]
Verified
32In 2010, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,327[1]
Verified
33In 2009, Italy’s publishing sector enterprises numbered 1,335[1]
Verified
34In 2023, Italy’s publishing sector labor productivity was €3.4 thousand per employee (revenue per employee)[1]
Verified
35In 2022, Italy’s publishing sector labor productivity was €3.3 thousand per employee (revenue per employee)[1]
Verified
36In 2021, Italy’s publishing sector labor productivity was €3.2 thousand per employee (revenue per employee)[1]
Verified
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.
More related reading
Publishing output, formats & digital
1In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2023 was 93,000[14]
Directional
2In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2022 was 95,000[14]
Verified
3In Italy, the number of ISBNs assigned for books in 2021 was 92,000[14]
Verified
4In Italy, ISBN agency data show 2023 new ISBNs issued at 93,000[14]
Verified
5In Italy, ISBNs issued per year decreased from 97,000 in 2019 to 93,000 in 2023[14]
Verified
6Italy’s e-book market value was €122 million in 2023[15]
Verified
7Italy’s e-book market value was €110 million in 2022[15]
Verified
8Italy’s e-book market value was €98 million in 2021[15]
Verified
9Italy’s e-book market value was €87 million in 2020[15]
Directional
10Italy’s e-book market value was €79 million in 2019[15]
Verified
11E-books accounted for 3.1% of Italy’s total book sales in 2023[15]
Single source
12E-books accounted for 2.9% of Italy’s total book sales in 2022[15]
Verified
13E-books accounted for 2.7% of Italy’s total book sales in 2021[15]
Single source
14E-books accounted for 2.5% of Italy’s total book sales in 2020[15]
Single source
15E-books accounted for 2.3% of Italy’s total book sales in 2019[15]
Verified
16In 2023, audiobooks in Italy reached €33 million in sales[16]
Verified
17In 2022, audiobooks in Italy reached €29 million in sales[16]
Directional
18In 2021, audiobooks in Italy reached €25 million in sales[16]
Verified
19In 2020, audiobooks in Italy reached €22 million in sales[16]
Verified
20In 2019, audiobooks in Italy reached €18 million in sales[16]
Verified
21In 2023, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.9 million[16]
Verified
22In 2022, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.8 million[16]
Verified
23In 2021, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.7 million[16]
Single source
24In 2020, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.6 million[16]
Verified
25In 2019, audiobook subscribers in Italy were 0.5 million[16]
Single source
26In 2023, Italy published 312.3 million copies across books[1]
Directional
27In 2022, Italy published 307.5 million book copies[1]
Single source
28In 2021, Italy published 290.1 million book copies[1]
Verified
29In 2020, Italy published 274.6 million book copies[1]
Verified
30In 2019, Italy published 281.3 million book copies[1]
Verified
31In 2023, Italy published 79,974 new book titles[1]
Directional
32In 2022, Italy published 83,000 new book titles[1]
Verified
33In 2021, Italy published 78,500 new book titles[1]
Verified
34In 2020, Italy published 73,900 new book titles[1]
Verified
35In 2019, Italy published 75,600 new book titles[1]
Single source
36In 2023, total book titles in Italy were 93,447 (new titles + new editions)[1]
Directional
37In 2022, total book titles in Italy were 91,000[1]
Verified
38In 2021, total book titles in Italy were 88,000[1]
Verified
39In 2020, total book titles in Italy were 84,000[1]
Directional
40In 2019, total book titles in Italy were 86,000[1]
Single source
41In 2023, new editions accounted for 70.8 million book copies[1]
Verified
42In 2022, new editions accounted for 68.2 million book copies[1]
Verified
43In 2021, new editions accounted for 62.5 million book copies[1]
Verified
44In 2020, new editions accounted for 58.7 million book copies[1]
Verified
45In 2019, new editions accounted for 60.1 million book copies[1]
Verified
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.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
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.
References
- 1istat.it/en/archivio/280037
- 2comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=9999&r=380&p=4901&cc=4901&rg=2
- 3comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=9999&r=380&p=4901&cc=4901&rg=1
- 4comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=9999&r=380&p=4902&cc=4902&rg=2
- 5comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=9999&r=380&p=4902&cc=4902&rg=1
- 8comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=2022&r=380&rg=2&p=4901&cc=4901&px=2
- 9comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=2022&r=380&rg=1&p=4901&cc=4901&px=2
- 11comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=2022&r=380&p=4901&cc=4901&rg=2
- 12comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?freq=A&ps=2022&r=380&p=4901&cc=4901&rg=1
- 6fedrigoni.com/en/insights/italian-book-export-ranking-2022
- 7siae.it/en/press-release/copyright-and-the-book-translation-sector-2022
- 10ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/DS-0167307/default/table?lang=en
- 13ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/isoc_culture_esv_esms.htm
- 14cubid.com/it/isbn-statistics
- 15digitalbookworld.com/italian-ebook-market-size-2023/
- 16digitalbookworld.com/italy-audiobook-market-size-2023/