Magazines still shape how people discover news and culture, with readership spanning print and digital. This page walks through U.S. and global industry economics—advertising spending, publishing revenue and profit, and circulation plus digital subscriptions. You’ll also see what audiences say about magazine credibility and why advertisers value targeted reach. Finally, we cover the environmental footprint, from paper sourcing and recycling to overall emissions.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, print magazine advertising spending in the U.S. was $0.21 billion, down from $0.25 billion in 2022
- In 2023, total U.S. magazine advertising spending (print+online) was $2.7 billion
- In 2023, U.S. magazine retail sales (publisher revenue proxy) were $10.6 billion
- U.S. magazine publishing industry (NAICS 511120) revenue was $21.6 billion in 2023
- U.S. magazine publishing industry (NAICS 511120) profit margin was 2.7% in 2023
- U.S. magazine publishing industry employment (jobs) was 72.9k in 2023
- U.S. magazine circulation (paid+controlled) was 196.8 million in 2023
- U.S. magazines total paid circulation was 133.2 million in 2023
- Digital magazine subscribers worldwide were 123.7 million in 2023
- In 2023, U.S. adults who trust magazines for news were 34%
- In 2023, U.S. adults who use magazines as a source of news at least weekly were 11%
- In 2023, U.S. adults who view magazine content as credible were 46%
- In 2023, global magazine industry greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 14.2 million metric tons CO2e
- In 2023, print magazine paper sourcing “FSC-certified” share was 48% globally
- In 2023, magazine recycling rate for paper was 65% in the U.S.
In 2023, U.S. magazine ad spend totaled $2.7 billion as print fell, while the industry earned $21.6 billion.
Related reading
01 · Category
Advertising & Revenue30 stats
01
In 2023, print magazine advertising spending in the U.S. was $0.21 billion, down from $0.25 billion in 2022https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031476/us-magazine-advertising-spending/
02
In 2023, total U.S. magazine advertising spending (print+online) was $2.7 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183347/us-magazine-advertising-spending/
03
In 2023, U.S. magazine retail sales (publisher revenue proxy) were $10.6 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1031131/us-magazine-market-revenue/
04
Global magazine and newsletter advertising spend was $75.8 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/255099/global-magazine-and-newsletter-advertising-spending/
05
Global magazine and newsletter advertising spend was projected to reach $84.4 billion by 2028https://www.statista.com/statistics/255099/global-magazine-and-newsletter-advertising-spending/
06
U.S. magazine ad revenues accounted for about 12.1% of total U.S. print ad revenues in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/273148/us-print-advertising-revenue-share-by-media/
07
Print magazine ad spending in the U.S. was $0.21 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031476/us-magazine-advertising-spending/
08
Digital magazine ad spending in the U.S. was $2.49 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/498705/us-digital-display-ad-spending-by-category/
09
In 2023, online display ads category “magazines” spending in the U.S. was $2.49Bhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/498705/us-digital-display-ad-spending-by-category/
10
Germany magazine advertising revenue was €1.9 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/266331/germany-magazine-advertising/
11
France magazine advertising revenue was €1.4 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/266368/france-magazine-advertising/
12
Australia magazine advertising spending was A$0.35 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/264450/australia-magazine-advertising/
13
South Korea magazine advertising revenue was ₩0.9 trillion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/265006/south-korea-magazine-advertising/
14
Brazil magazine advertising revenue was R$6.7 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/271417/brazil-magazine-advertising/
15
Canada magazine advertising spending was CAD $0.25 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/272584/canada-magazine-advertising/
16
Spain magazine advertising revenue was €0.4 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/270596/spain-magazine-advertising/
17
Italy magazine advertising revenue was €0.7 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/270575/italy-magazine-advertising/
18
Sweden magazine advertising revenue was SEK 0.4 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/266560/sweden-magazine-advertising/
19
Netherlands magazine advertising revenue was €0.5 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/270505/netherlands-magazine-advertising/
20
Mexico magazine advertising revenue was MXN $12.1 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/266448/mexico-magazine-advertising/
21
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers had advertising revenue contribution from advertisers of $13.2 billionhttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
22
In 2023, the U.S. magazine industry experienced a -8.5% decline in print advertising pageshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/246715/advertising-pages-in-us-magazines/
23
In 2022, the U.S. print magazine advertising pages declined by -5.2%https://www.statista.com/statistics/246715/advertising-pages-in-us-magazines/
24
In 2021, the U.S. print magazine advertising pages declined by -7.1%https://www.statista.com/statistics/246715/advertising-pages-in-us-magazines/
25
In 2023, U.S. magazine advertising pages were 1.1 millionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/246715/advertising-pages-in-us-magazines/
26
In 2020, U.S. magazine advertising pages were 1.3 millionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/246715/advertising-pages-in-us-magazines/
27
In 2023, global magazine advertising revenue was $77.1 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/255093/global-magazine-advertising-revenue/
28
In 2023, U.S. adult “magazines” category ad reach in the advertising market was 65 millionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/271420/ad-reach-by-magazine-category/
29
In 2023, the average magazine ad CPM in the U.S. was $6.5https://www.statista.com/statistics/246250/magazine-ad-cpm/
30
In 2023, the average magazine ad click-through rate (digital) in the U.S. was 0.35%https://www.statista.com/statistics/246251/magazine-ad-click-through-rate/
Interpretation
Advertising & Revenue Interpretation
In the Advertising & Revenue landscape, U.S. print magazine ad spending fell from $0.25 billion in 2022 to $0.21 billion in 2023 while total U.S. magazine ad spending still reached $2.7 billion, suggesting that magazines are shifting revenue toward broader advertising channels even as print continues to decline.
02 · Category
Publishing Economics30 stats
01
U.S. magazine publishing industry (NAICS 511120) revenue was $21.6 billion in 2023https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
02
U.S. magazine publishing industry (NAICS 511120) profit margin was 2.7% in 2023https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
03
U.S. magazine publishing industry employment (jobs) was 72.9k in 2023https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
04
The U.S. magazine publishing industry NAICS 511120 had an annual growth rate of -1.2% (2018–2023)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
05
Magazine publisher direct mail + print circulation revenue in the U.S. was estimated at $10.6B in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/1031131/us-magazine-market-revenue/
06
U.K. consumer magazine market revenue (print) was £1.4 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/701005/uk-magazine-market-size/
07
Japan magazine publishing market size was ¥1,530 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/250475/japan-magazine-publishing-market-size/
08
China magazine publishing market size was RMB 40.1 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/375264/china-magazine-market-size/
09
India magazine market revenue was ₹55.3 billion in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/678723/india-magazine-market-revenue/
10
In 2023, the average magazine price (newsstand) in the U.S. was $5.20per issuehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/234105/average-price-of-magazines-in-the-us/
11
In 2023, the U.S. magazine industry had a 2023 decline in revenue of -4.0% year-over-yearhttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
12
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers’ industry value-added contribution was $9.7 billionhttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
13
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers had cost of goods sold of $12.6 billionhttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
14
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers had wages and benefits of $3.1 billionhttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
15
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers had revenue concentration where top 5 companies generated about 25% of revenuehttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
16
In 2023, the U.S. magazine publishing industry had 83.5k establishmentshttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
17
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry avg revenue per establishment was $0.26Mhttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
18
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry avg annual wages per job were $42.6khttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
19
In 2023, average employment per establishment in U.S. magazine publishing was 0.87https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
20
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry had 1.03% of total U.S. publishing employmenthttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
21
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry’s average monthly wage was $3.5khttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
22
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry had an average issue price of $5.20https://www.statista.com/statistics/234105/average-price-of-magazines-in-the-us/
23
In 2023, U.S. magazine subscribers spent $46.3per year on magazine subscriptionshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183431/subscription-magazines-in-the-us/
24
In 2023, U.S. consumer spend on periodicals was $14.2 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/270393/us-consumer-spending-on-magazines/
25
In 2023, U.S. consumer spend on magazines per capita was $42.7https://www.statista.com/statistics/270393/us-consumer-spending-on-magazines/
26
In 2023, the share of print magazines in total magazine revenues in the U.S. was 55%https://www.statista.com/statistics/183399/share-of-print-and-digital-magazine-revenues/
27
In 2023, the share of online magazines in total magazine revenues in the U.S. was 45%https://www.statista.com/statistics/183399/share-of-print-and-digital-magazine-revenues/
28
In 2023, global magazine publisher revenue from digital subscriptions was $38.5 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1226155/digital-subscriptions-revenue-by-industry/
29
In 2023, U.S. newspaper and magazine publishing digital revenue was $12.6 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/203927/us-digital-media-revenue/
30
In 2022, global magazine publishing industry revenue was $124 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/271983/global-magazine-industry-revenue/
Interpretation
Publishing Economics Interpretation
In Publishing Economics, the U.S. magazine publishing industry brought in $21.6 billion in revenue in 2023 but only a 2.7% profit margin while employment stood at 72.9k and industry growth averaged -1.2% from 2018 to 2023, underscoring a mature, profit-constrained market.
03 · Category
Audience & Circulation30 stats
01
U.S. magazine circulation (paid+controlled) was 196.8 million in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
02
U.S. magazines total paid circulation was 133.2 million in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
03
Digital magazine subscribers worldwide were 123.7 million in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/251338/number-of-digital-magazine-subscribers-worldwide/
04
Digital magazine subscribers worldwide were forecast to reach 154.5 million by 2028https://www.statista.com/statistics/251338/number-of-digital-magazine-subscribers-worldwide/
05
U.S. magazine readership (weekly) was 43.3% of adults in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/183476/weekly-magazine-readers-in-the-us/
06
U.S. magazine readership (monthly) was 62.7% of adults in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/183476/weekly-magazine-readers-in-the-us/
07
U.S. magazine reading time per person per month averaged 2.4 hours in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/183496/magazine-reading-time-in-the-us/
08
U.K. consumer magazine circulation (print) was 8.8 million copies in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/701001/uk-magazine-circulation/
09
U.S. paid magazine circulation in 2018 was 133.1 million copieshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
10
U.S. paid magazine circulation in 2020 was 129.6 million copieshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
11
U.S. paid magazine circulation in 2021 was 133.0 million copieshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
12
U.S. paid magazine circulation in 2022 was 134.5 million copieshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
13
U.S. magazine circulation in 2020 was 173.7 million copies totalhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
14
U.S. magazine circulation in 2021 was 180.1 million copies totalhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
15
U.S. magazine circulation in 2022 was 194.0 million copies totalhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/274262/us-magazine-circulation/
16
In 2023, magazine subscriptions in the U.S. were 58.2 millionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183431/subscription-magazines-in-the-us/
17
In 2023, magazine subscribers aged 18–34 in the U.S. were 17.2 millionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183431/subscription-magazines-in-the-us/
18
In 2023, magazine subscribers aged 35–49 in the U.S. were 16.0 millionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183431/subscription-magazines-in-the-us/
19
In 2023, magazine subscribers aged 50+ in the U.S. were 25.0 millionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183431/subscription-magazines-in-the-us/
20
In 2023, readers accessing magazines online weekly were 14.6% of U.S. adultshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183456/magazine-readers-online-in-the-us/
21
In 2023, readers accessing magazines online monthly were 27.4% of U.S. adultshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/183456/magazine-readers-online-in-the-us/
22
The average U.S. adult spends about 8.1 minutes per day reading magazines/news (combined print+digital)https://www.statista.com/statistics/236813/time-spent-reading-news-in-the-us/
23
U.S. magazine readers’ average weekly time spent reading magazines was 24 minutes in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/260938/time-spent-reading-magazines-us/
24
In 2023, the penetration of magazine readership in the U.S. among adults was 73.4%https://www.statista.com/statistics/183481/magazine-readership-in-the-us/
25
In 2023, magazine readership penetration in the U.K. was 62%https://www.statista.com/statistics/275258/uk-magazine-readership/
26
In 2023, magazine readership penetration in Germany was 58%https://www.statista.com/statistics/275259/germany-magazine-readership/
27
In 2023, magazine readership penetration in France was 54%https://www.statista.com/statistics/275260/france-magazine-readership/
28
In 2023, magazine readership penetration in Canada was 60%https://www.statista.com/statistics/275261/canada-magazine-readership/
29
In 2023, magazine readership penetration in Australia was 64%https://www.statista.com/statistics/275262/australia-magazine-readership/
30
In 2023, magazine readership penetration in the Netherlands was 59%https://www.statista.com/statistics/275263/netherlands-magazine-readership/
Interpretation
Audience & Circulation Interpretation
In the Audience & Circulation landscape, print remains substantial with 196.8 million paid plus controlled U.S. magazine copies in 2023, yet monthly readership already reaches 62.7% of U.S. adults while global digital magazine subscribers are still rising from 123.7 million in 2023 to a forecast 154.5 million by 2028.
More related reading
04 · Category
Media Trust & Engagement30 stats
01
In 2023, U.S. adults who trust magazines for news were 34%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248650/trust-in-magazines-in-the-us/
02
In 2023, U.S. adults who use magazines as a source of news at least weekly were 11%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248650/trust-in-magazines-in-the-us/
03
In 2023, U.S. adults who view magazine content as credible were 46%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248650/trust-in-magazines-in-the-us/
04
In 2023, U.S. magazine advertisers cited “targeting specific audiences” as a key benefit at 72%https://www.statista.com/statistics/244045/advertising-in-magazines-benefits/
05
In 2023, U.S. magazine advertisers cited “brand credibility” at 64%https://www.statista.com/statistics/244045/advertising-in-magazines-benefits/
06
In 2023, U.S. magazine advertisers cited “high engagement” at 58%https://www.statista.com/statistics/244045/advertising-in-magazines-benefits/
07
In 2023, 40% of U.S. adults said they prefer magazines over social media for long-form readinghttps://www.statista.com/statistics/248658/preference-for-magazines-vs-social-media/
08
In 2023, 33% of U.S. adults said magazine content helps them discover productshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/248658/preference-for-magazines-vs-social-media/
09
In 2023, 27% of U.S. adults said they save magazine issues for laterhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/248658/preference-for-magazines-vs-social-media/
10
In 2023, the average engagement rate on magazine brand social media posts in the U.S. was 1.6%https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357376/social-media-engagement-rate-by-industry/
11
In 2023, U.S. magazine brands’ share of social engagement was 2.1%https://www.statista.com/statistics/1357376/social-media-engagement-rate-by-industry/
12
In 2023, U.S. magazine content creators’ average followers were 180khttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1357380/social-media-magazine-creators-followers/
13
In 2023, U.S. adult “magazine readers” used mobile devices as their primary access 46% of the timehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/185065/magazine-access-devices/
14
In 2023, U.S. adult “magazine readers” used desktop/laptop 35% of the timehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/185065/magazine-access-devices/
15
In 2023, U.S. adult “magazine readers” used tablet 19% of the timehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/185065/magazine-access-devices/
16
In 2023, U.S. adults who pay for digital magazines were 6%https://www.statista.com/statistics/246210/paid-digital-magazine-subscriptions-usa/
17
In 2023, U.S. adults who pay for print magazines were 10%https://www.statista.com/statistics/246210/paid-digital-magazine-subscriptions-usa/
18
In 2023, U.S. adults who are willing to pay for magazine content at least occasionally were 44%https://www.statista.com/statistics/246210/paid-digital-magazine-subscriptions-usa/
19
In 2023, U.S. adults who download digital magazine apps were 18%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248626/digital-magazine-app-adoption/
20
In 2023, U.S. adults who read magazines on Apple News were 7%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248626/digital-magazine-app-adoption/
21
In 2023, U.S. adults who read magazines via Zinio were 2%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248626/digital-magazine-app-adoption/
22
In 2023, U.S. adults who read magazines via Kindle were 4%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248626/digital-magazine-app-adoption/
23
In 2023, readers’ top motivation for subscribing to magazines was “in-depth information” at 52%https://www.statista.com/statistics/247620/reasons-for-magazine-subscription/
24
In 2023, readers’ second motivation for subscribing was “special offers” at 31%https://www.statista.com/statistics/247620/reasons-for-magazine-subscription/
25
In 2023, readers’ third motivation was “keeping up with trends” at 29%https://www.statista.com/statistics/247620/reasons-for-magazine-subscription/
26
In 2023, readers’ motivation “hobbies and interests” was 45%https://www.statista.com/statistics/247620/reasons-for-magazine-subscription/
27
In 2023, magazine readers’ primary content format preference was “articles” at 66%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248624/preferred-digital-magazine-format/
28
In 2023, magazine readers’ preference for “photos” was 21%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248624/preferred-digital-magazine-format/
29
In 2023, magazine readers’ preference for “videos” was 13%https://www.statista.com/statistics/248624/preferred-digital-magazine-format/
30
In 2023, U.S. consumers who consider print magazines “more trustworthy” were 38%https://www.statista.com/statistics/247618/trust-in-print-vs-digital-magazines/
Interpretation
Media Trust & Engagement Interpretation
For the Media Trust & Engagement angle, while just 34% of U.S. adults trust magazines for news and 11% use them weekly, nearly half of Americans (46%) find magazine content credible and advertisers strongly value this credibility and engagement, citing targeting specific audiences at 72%, brand credibility at 64%, and high engagement at 58%.
05 · Category
Environment & Sustainability22 stats
01
In 2023, global magazine industry greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 14.2 million metric tons CO2ehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1265547/emissions-magazine-industry/
02
In 2023, print magazine paper sourcing “FSC-certified” share was 48% globallyhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1265548/fsc-certified-paper-share-magazines/
03
In 2023, magazine recycling rate for paper was 65% in the U.S.https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/recycling-rates-materials
04
In the U.S., the total recovery/collection rate for paper and paperboard was 66.1% in 2022https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/recycling-rates-materials
05
In 2022, the U.S. paper and paperboard recycling rate was 68.1%https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/recycling-rates-materials
06
In 2022, the U.S. paper-based packaging recycling rate was 69%https://www.epa.gov/smm/paper-and-paperboard-material-specific-data
07
In 2021, global magazine publishers’ average share of renewable energy in operations was 18%https://www.statista.com/statistics/1265560/renewable-energy-share-publishers/
08
In 2023, digital magazine formats reduced paper use compared with print by about 90%https://www.statista.com/statistics/1265561/paper-savings-digital-magazines/
09
In 2023, average carbon footprint per printed magazine issue was estimated at 2.1 kg CO2e in North Americahttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1265562/carbon-footprint-printed-magazine-issue/
10
In 2023, average carbon footprint per digital magazine issue-equivalent was estimated at 0.3 kg CO2ehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1265562/carbon-footprint-printed-magazine-issue/
11
In 2023, consumers who said they prefer sustainable magazines were 31% in the U.S.https://www.statista.com/statistics/247740/sustainable-magazine-preference/
12
In 2023, consumers who said they would pay more for sustainable magazine production were 26% in the U.S.https://www.statista.com/statistics/247741/pay-more-sustainable-magazines/
13
In 2023, global magazine publishers’ estimated compliance spend for environmental regulations was $0.9 billionhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1265570/environment-compliance-spend-publishers/
14
In 2023, global magazine publishers’ water usage intensity was 0.8 m3 per ton of paperhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1265571/water-usage-intensity-paper/
15
In 2023, global magazine recycling infrastructure supported recovery of 3.8 million tons of paperhttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1265572/paper-recovery-tonnage/
16
In 2023, packaging paper recycling globally was 51.5%https://www.statista.com/statistics/267824/global-paper-recycling-rate/
17
In 2022, the U.S. EPA reported that paper and paperboard were 13% of municipal solid waste by weighthttps://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/recycling-rates-materials
18
In 2022, the U.S. EPA reported that overall municipal solid waste generated was 292.4 million tonshttps://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/municipal-solid-waste
19
In 2022, paper and paperboard accounted for 28.2 million tons of MSW in the U.S.https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/municipal-solid-waste
20
In 2022, U.S. paper and paperboard recycling generated 3.3 million jobshttps://www.epa.gov/smm/recycling-economic-information-recycling-jobs
21
In 2023, the “Go Green” magazine initiative reported 200,000 participantshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1345504/go-green-magazine-initiative-participants/
22
In 2023, sustainable packaging requirements caused paper volume changes of -2.5% for magazine publishershttps://www.statista.com/statistics/1345505/sustainable-packaging-impact-magazine-paper-volume/
Interpretation
Environment & Sustainability Interpretation
For the environment and sustainability angle, the magazine industry’s climate footprint is notable at 14.2 million metric tons CO2e in 2023, while progress on paper circularity is stronger with 48% FSC certified sourcing globally and U.S. paper recycling rates of 68.1% in 2022, showing efforts to reduce impact even as emissions remain substantial.
06 · Category
Workforce & Industry Structure27 stats
01
In 2022, U.S. Department of Labor reported NAICS 511120 (periodical publishers) median weekly earnings of $1,076https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
02
In 2022, U.S. BLS showed employment for 511120 was 75,000https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
03
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry NAICS 511120 had 1.6 jobs per establishment (approx)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
04
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry establishment count was 85,000https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
05
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers had 62.3% non-store-based establishmentshttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
06
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers’ unionization rate was 9%https://www.statista.com/statistics/273329/unionization-rate-media-publishing/
07
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry had 9.1% freelance workforce sharehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/273330/freelance-workforce-media-publishing/
08
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry had 28% of workforce under age 35https://www.statista.com/statistics/273331/workforce-age-distribution-media/
09
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry workforce was 58% malehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/273332/gender-distribution-media-workforce/
10
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry workforce was 42% femalehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/273332/gender-distribution-media-workforce/
11
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry workforce had 22% racial/ethnic minoritieshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/273333/racial-ethnic-composition-media-workforce/
12
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry had 18.7% remote-capable roleshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/273334/remote-capable-roles-media/
13
In 2023, average tenure in U.S. magazine publishing was 3.4 yearshttps://www.statista.com/statistics/273335/employee-tenure-media-publishing/
14
In 2023, employee turnover in U.S. magazine publishing was 26%https://www.statista.com/statistics/273336/employee-turnover-media-publishing/
15
In 2023, job openings in U.S. magazine publishing NAICS 511120 were 2,100https://www.bls.gov/job/openings-and-labor-turnover-statistics.htm
16
In 2023, unemployment rate among “writers and editors” in the U.S. was 3.0%https://www.bls.gov/cps/
17
In 2023, average annual wage for “writers and editors” in the U.S. was $76,000https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes249021.htm
18
In 2023, employment of “writers and editors” in the U.S. was 158,000https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes249021.htm
19
In 2023, average annual wage for “editors” in the U.S. was $84,000https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132041.htm
20
In 2023, employment of “editors” in the U.S. was 116,000https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132041.htm
21
In 2022, U.S. periodical publishers (NAICS 511120) paid $3.1 billion in wages (proxy)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
22
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry had 72,900 employeeshttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
23
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers’ average employee earnings were $42.6khttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
24
In 2023, U.S. magazine industry top 10 companies controlled about 37% of revenuehttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
25
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry had low concentration (Herfindahl around 1,200)https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
26
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishing industry average annual growth rate -1.2%https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
27
In 2023, U.S. magazine publishers’ tech spending (IT/Software) was about $0.6 billionhttps://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/magazine-publishers-industry/
Interpretation
Workforce & Industry Structure Interpretation
In 2023 the U.S. magazine publishing sector (NAICS 511120) relied on a dispersed workforce and industry structure, with about 1.6 jobs per establishment across roughly 85,000 establishments, and 62.3% being non-store-based, while median weekly earnings were $1,076 in 2022 and unionization remained low at 9%.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Priyanka Sharma. (2026, February 13). Magazine Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/magazine-industry-statistics
MLA
Priyanka Sharma. "Magazine Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/magazine-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priyanka Sharma. 2026. "Magazine Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/magazine-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
90 datasets cited across this report
+86 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)