GITNUXREPORT 2026

Publishing Industry Statistics

The global publishing industry grew steadily in 2023, led by adult fiction, audiobooks, and e-books.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Female authors share: 52% US books 2023

Statistic 2

Diverse authors POC: 12% US titles 2023

Statistic 3

Average author advance US: $13,000 2023

Statistic 4

Median author income US: $6,080 2023

Statistic 5

Big 5 publishers market share: 80% US 2023

Statistic 6

Women in publishing exec roles: 65% US 2023

Statistic 7

Self-published authors: 1.7 million US 2023

Statistic 8

Publishing employees US: 250,000 2023

Statistic 9

Average publisher salary US: $75,000 2023

Statistic 10

Indie publishers: 2,500 US 2023

Statistic 11

LGBTQ+ authors: 5% US titles 2023

Statistic 12

Disability representation authors: 3% 2023

Statistic 13

Global authors total: 10 million active 2023

Statistic 14

UK women editors: 70% 2023

Statistic 15

Hybrid authors: 20% US 2023

Statistic 16

Agents representing: 85% traditionally published US 2023

Statistic 17

Under 30 publishing staff: 15% US 2023

Statistic 18

Freelance editors: 100,000 US 2023

Statistic 19

Publisher mergers 2023: 15 major deals

Statistic 20

International translators: 25,000 active 2023

Statistic 21

Children's book authors women: 75% US 2023

Statistic 22

Academic authors PhDs: 90% 2023

Statistic 23

Royalty rates avg: 10-15% trade US 2023

Statistic 24

BAME staff in UK publishing: 8% 2023

Statistic 25

US editors median age: 42 years 2023

Statistic 26

Romance genre US sales: 39 million units in 2023

Statistic 27

Mystery/thriller US units: 35 million in 2023

Statistic 28

Fantasy/sci-fi: 28 million units US 2023

Statistic 29

Young adult fiction: 22 million units US 2023

Statistic 30

Children's nonfiction: 18 million units US 2023

Statistic 31

Adult nonfiction: 250 million units US 2023

Statistic 32

Cookbooks/food: 12 million units US 2023

Statistic 33

Graphic novels/manga: 45 million units US 2023, up 65%

Statistic 34

Religious books: 15 million units US 2023

Statistic 35

Self-help: 10 million units US 2023

Statistic 36

History/biography: 30 million units US 2023

Statistic 37

UK fiction sales: 85 million units 2023

Statistic 38

Global romance sales revenue: $1.44 billion 2023

Statistic 39

Horror genre growth: 20% units US 2023

Statistic 40

Poetry sales US: 1.2 million units 2023

Statistic 41

Travel books: 2.5 million units US 2023

Statistic 42

Humor books: 3 million units US 2023

Statistic 43

Sports books: 4 million units US 2023

Statistic 44

Art/architecture: 1.8 million units US 2023

Statistic 45

Global sci-fi sales: 50 million units 2023

Statistic 46

Children's picture books: 25 million units US 2023

Statistic 47

Middle grade fiction: 15 million US 2023

Statistic 48

Literary fiction: 8 million units US 2023

Statistic 49

True crime: 7 million units US 2023

Statistic 50

Business books: 9 million units US 2023

Statistic 51

Parenting books: 5 million units US 2023

Statistic 52

UK nonfiction: 120 million units 2023

Statistic 53

Manga US share of graphic novels: 76% units 2023

Statistic 54

E-book sales US: 500 million units 2023

Statistic 55

Audiobook downloads US: 1.8 billion in 2023

Statistic 56

Global e-book market growth: 4.5% to 2028

Statistic 57

Amazon Kindle e-book sales share: 67% US market 2023

Statistic 58

E-book revenue US: $2.6 billion 2023, down 7%

Statistic 59

Digital comic sales: $1.2 billion global 2023

Statistic 60

Subscription e-book services: 25 million US subscribers 2023

Statistic 61

E-book penetration rate: 25% of US purchases 2023

Statistic 62

Audiobook market growth: 25% CAGR to 2028

Statistic 63

Podcast-to-book adaptations: 15% audiobook sales 2023

Statistic 64

Global digital publishing: $65 billion 2023

Statistic 65

Apple Books e-sales: 12% market share US 2023

Statistic 66

Kobo e-reader sales: 5 million units 2023

Statistic 67

E-book self-published: 50% of top 100 US 2023

Statistic 68

Digital textbook adoption: 40% US colleges 2023

Statistic 69

Audiobook listener demographics: 50% under 35 US 2023

Statistic 70

NFT book editions: 100,000 sold globally 2023

Statistic 71

VR/AR book experiences: 2 million downloads 2023

Statistic 72

E-book piracy losses: $1 billion US 2023

Statistic 73

Online reading apps: 300 million users global 2023

Statistic 74

UK e-book sales: 38 million units 2023

Statistic 75

Global audiobook revenue: $7.5 billion 2023

Statistic 76

Global publishing industry revenue reached $143.68 billion in 2023, marking a 2.1% increase from 2022

Statistic 77

US trade publishing revenue hit $29.9 billion in 2023, with adult fiction leading at $6.5 billion

Statistic 78

UK book market value was £6.6 billion in 2022, growing 3% year-over-year

Statistic 79

E-book segment of global publishing grew to $17.3 billion in 2023

Statistic 80

Children's book publishing revenue worldwide: $12.4 billion in 2023, up 4.2%

Statistic 81

Educational publishing market size: $258 billion globally in 2023

Statistic 82

Self-publishing market valued at $1.25 billion in US for 2023

Statistic 83

Audiobook revenue surged to $2.1 billion in US 2023, 13% growth

Statistic 84

Global academic publishing: $25.6 billion in 2023

Statistic 85

India book market: ₹10,000 crore (~$1.2 billion) in 2023

Statistic 86

German publishing turnover: €9.5 billion in 2023, up 1.8%

Statistic 87

French book market: €2.8 billion in 2022, stable growth

Statistic 88

China publishing industry: RMB 600 billion (~$85 billion) in 2023

Statistic 89

Australia book sales revenue: AUD 2.5 billion in 2023

Statistic 90

Brazil publishing market: BRL 4.5 billion in 2023

Statistic 91

Japan manga market: ¥677 billion (~$4.5 billion) in 2023

Statistic 92

Religious publishing US revenue: $1.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 93

Professional publishing global: $20 billion in 2023

Statistic 94

Newspaper publishing decline: global revenue $200 billion in 2023, down 5%

Statistic 95

Magazine publishing: $30 billion globally 2023

Statistic 96

US K-12 publishing: $8.5 billion in 2023

Statistic 97

Higher ed publishing US: $6.2 billion 2023

Statistic 98

Global STM publishing: $28 billion 2023

Statistic 99

Canada book market: CAD 2.1 billion 2023

Statistic 100

Italy publishing: €1.6 billion 2023

Statistic 101

Spain book market: €2.4 billion 2023

Statistic 102

South Korea publishing: KRW 4.5 trillion (~$3.3 billion) 2023

Statistic 103

Turkey book market growth: 15% to TRY 5 billion 2023

Statistic 104

Mexico publishing: MXN 15 billion 2023

Statistic 105

Global publishing CAGR 2023-2028 projected at 2.5%

Statistic 106

Print book unit sales US: 767 million in 2023

Statistic 107

Hardcovers US: 200 million units 2023, up 10%

Statistic 108

Paperbacks US: 400 million units 2023

Statistic 109

Global print book revenue: $100 billion 2023

Statistic 110

UK print sales: 170 million units 2023

Statistic 111

Mass market paperbacks US: 50 million units 2023, down 5%

Statistic 112

Trade paperbacks US: 350 million units 2023

Statistic 113

Board books US: 10 million units 2023

Statistic 114

Print-on-demand volumes: 1.5 million titles US 2023

Statistic 115

Bestselling print title sales: 5 million copies US 2023 avg

Statistic 116

Independent bookstore sales: $1.4 billion US 2023

Statistic 117

Print children's books: 300 million units global 2023

Statistic 118

Hardcover nonfiction US: 100 million units 2023

Statistic 119

Print fantasy top sales: 20 million units US 2023

Statistic 120

Library print circulation: 1.2 billion US 2023

Statistic 121

Print religious books: 50 million units global 2023

Statistic 122

UK hardback sales growth: 12% 2023

Statistic 123

Print manga physical: 30 million units US 2023

Statistic 124

Coffee table books: 2 million units US 2023

Statistic 125

Print textbook shipments: 100 million US 2023

Statistic 126

Second-hand print market: $5 billion US 2023

Statistic 127

Print romance novels: 25 million units US 2023

Statistic 128

Global print fiction: 2 billion units 2023

Statistic 129

US print sales share of total: 75% 2023

Statistic 130

Number of publishers US: 50,000 active 2023

Statistic 131

Titles published US: 2.7 million 2023

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While the glow of a tablet screen and the click of an audiobook have become familiar, the world's hunger for stories remains an economic powerhouse worth over $143 billion globally, driving a thriving and diverse publishing landscape from blockbuster audiobooks to self-published passion projects.

Key Takeaways

Global publishing industry revenue reached $143.68 billion in 2023, marking a 2.1% increase from 2022
US trade publishing revenue hit $29.9 billion in 2023, with adult fiction leading at $6.5 billion
UK book market value was £6.6 billion in 2022, growing 3% year-over-year
Romance genre US sales: 39 million units in 2023
Mystery/thriller US units: 35 million in 2023
Fantasy/sci-fi: 28 million units US 2023
E-book sales US: 500 million units 2023
Audiobook downloads US: 1.8 billion in 2023
Global e-book market growth: 4.5% to 2028
Print book unit sales US: 767 million in 2023
Hardcovers US: 200 million units 2023, up 10%
Paperbacks US: 400 million units 2023
Female authors share: 52% US books 2023
Diverse authors POC: 12% US titles 2023
Average author advance US: $13,000 2023

The global publishing industry grew steadily in 2023, led by adult fiction, audiobooks, and e-books.

Author and Publisher Demographics

Female authors share: 52% US books 2023
Diverse authors POC: 12% US titles 2023
Average author advance US: $13,000 2023
Median author income US: $6,080 2023
Big 5 publishers market share: 80% US 2023
Women in publishing exec roles: 65% US 2023
Self-published authors: 1.7 million US 2023
Publishing employees US: 250,000 2023
Average publisher salary US: $75,000 2023
Indie publishers: 2,500 US 2023
LGBTQ+ authors: 5% US titles 2023
Disability representation authors: 3% 2023
Global authors total: 10 million active 2023
UK women editors: 70% 2023
Hybrid authors: 20% US 2023
Agents representing: 85% traditionally published US 2023
Under 30 publishing staff: 15% US 2023
Freelance editors: 100,000 US 2023
Publisher mergers 2023: 15 major deals
International translators: 25,000 active 2023
Children's book authors women: 75% US 2023
Academic authors PhDs: 90% 2023
Royalty rates avg: 10-15% trade US 2023
BAME staff in UK publishing: 8% 2023
US editors median age: 42 years 2023

Author and Publisher Demographics Interpretation

The industry's front room is run by women, its list is mostly white, its pay is an embarrassment, its structure is a fortress, and the only thing thriving in this creative drought is the desperate garden of self-publishing out back.

Book Sales by Genre

Romance genre US sales: 39 million units in 2023
Mystery/thriller US units: 35 million in 2023
Fantasy/sci-fi: 28 million units US 2023
Young adult fiction: 22 million units US 2023
Children's nonfiction: 18 million units US 2023
Adult nonfiction: 250 million units US 2023
Cookbooks/food: 12 million units US 2023
Graphic novels/manga: 45 million units US 2023, up 65%
Religious books: 15 million units US 2023
Self-help: 10 million units US 2023
History/biography: 30 million units US 2023
UK fiction sales: 85 million units 2023
Global romance sales revenue: $1.44 billion 2023
Horror genre growth: 20% units US 2023
Poetry sales US: 1.2 million units 2023
Travel books: 2.5 million units US 2023
Humor books: 3 million units US 2023
Sports books: 4 million units US 2023
Art/architecture: 1.8 million units US 2023
Global sci-fi sales: 50 million units 2023
Children's picture books: 25 million units US 2023
Middle grade fiction: 15 million US 2023
Literary fiction: 8 million units US 2023
True crime: 7 million units US 2023
Business books: 9 million units US 2023
Parenting books: 5 million units US 2023
UK nonfiction: 120 million units 2023
Manga US share of graphic novels: 76% units 2023

Book Sales by Genre Interpretation

While romance offers a billion-dollar escape and nonfiction dominates the shelf by volume, the true plot twist is that graphic novels and manga are rapidly out-drawing everyone else, proving we're all just grown-up kids at heart.

Digital and E-book Trends

E-book sales US: 500 million units 2023
Audiobook downloads US: 1.8 billion in 2023
Global e-book market growth: 4.5% to 2028
Amazon Kindle e-book sales share: 67% US market 2023
E-book revenue US: $2.6 billion 2023, down 7%
Digital comic sales: $1.2 billion global 2023
Subscription e-book services: 25 million US subscribers 2023
E-book penetration rate: 25% of US purchases 2023
Audiobook market growth: 25% CAGR to 2028
Podcast-to-book adaptations: 15% audiobook sales 2023
Global digital publishing: $65 billion 2023
Apple Books e-sales: 12% market share US 2023
Kobo e-reader sales: 5 million units 2023
E-book self-published: 50% of top 100 US 2023
Digital textbook adoption: 40% US colleges 2023
Audiobook listener demographics: 50% under 35 US 2023
NFT book editions: 100,000 sold globally 2023
VR/AR book experiences: 2 million downloads 2023
E-book piracy losses: $1 billion US 2023
Online reading apps: 300 million users global 2023
UK e-book sales: 38 million units 2023
Global audiobook revenue: $7.5 billion 2023

Digital and E-book Trends Interpretation

While America's e-book market got a bit quieter, its audiobook scene is blasting off like a rocket, proving we'd rather be read to than turn a page—or even tap one.

Market Revenue and Growth

Global publishing industry revenue reached $143.68 billion in 2023, marking a 2.1% increase from 2022
US trade publishing revenue hit $29.9 billion in 2023, with adult fiction leading at $6.5 billion
UK book market value was £6.6 billion in 2022, growing 3% year-over-year
E-book segment of global publishing grew to $17.3 billion in 2023
Children's book publishing revenue worldwide: $12.4 billion in 2023, up 4.2%
Educational publishing market size: $258 billion globally in 2023
Self-publishing market valued at $1.25 billion in US for 2023
Audiobook revenue surged to $2.1 billion in US 2023, 13% growth
Global academic publishing: $25.6 billion in 2023
India book market: ₹10,000 crore (~$1.2 billion) in 2023
German publishing turnover: €9.5 billion in 2023, up 1.8%
French book market: €2.8 billion in 2022, stable growth
China publishing industry: RMB 600 billion (~$85 billion) in 2023
Australia book sales revenue: AUD 2.5 billion in 2023
Brazil publishing market: BRL 4.5 billion in 2023
Japan manga market: ¥677 billion (~$4.5 billion) in 2023
Religious publishing US revenue: $1.2 billion in 2023
Professional publishing global: $20 billion in 2023
Newspaper publishing decline: global revenue $200 billion in 2023, down 5%
Magazine publishing: $30 billion globally 2023
US K-12 publishing: $8.5 billion in 2023
Higher ed publishing US: $6.2 billion 2023
Global STM publishing: $28 billion 2023
Canada book market: CAD 2.1 billion 2023
Italy publishing: €1.6 billion 2023
Spain book market: €2.4 billion 2023
South Korea publishing: KRW 4.5 trillion (~$3.3 billion) 2023
Turkey book market growth: 15% to TRY 5 billion 2023
Mexico publishing: MXN 15 billion 2023
Global publishing CAGR 2023-2028 projected at 2.5%

Market Revenue and Growth Interpretation

The publishing industry, a sprawling $143 billion global ecosystem, proves its enduring vitality not through explosive growth but through its remarkable, steady resilience—quietly defying predictions of its demise by simultaneously nurturing a $1.25 billion self-publishing revolution, fueling a $12.4 billion children's book boom, and weathering a newspaper decline, all while adult fiction remains a comforting $6.5 billion bedrock and audiobooks provide a spirited $2.1 billion soundtrack to our increasingly multifaceted literary lives.

Print Book Statistics

Print book unit sales US: 767 million in 2023
Hardcovers US: 200 million units 2023, up 10%
Paperbacks US: 400 million units 2023
Global print book revenue: $100 billion 2023
UK print sales: 170 million units 2023
Mass market paperbacks US: 50 million units 2023, down 5%
Trade paperbacks US: 350 million units 2023
Board books US: 10 million units 2023
Print-on-demand volumes: 1.5 million titles US 2023
Bestselling print title sales: 5 million copies US 2023 avg
Independent bookstore sales: $1.4 billion US 2023
Print children's books: 300 million units global 2023
Hardcover nonfiction US: 100 million units 2023
Print fantasy top sales: 20 million units US 2023
Library print circulation: 1.2 billion US 2023
Print religious books: 50 million units global 2023
UK hardback sales growth: 12% 2023
Print manga physical: 30 million units US 2023
Coffee table books: 2 million units US 2023
Print textbook shipments: 100 million US 2023
Second-hand print market: $5 billion US 2023
Print romance novels: 25 million units US 2023
Global print fiction: 2 billion units 2023
US print sales share of total: 75% 2023
Number of publishers US: 50,000 active 2023
Titles published US: 2.7 million 2023

Print Book Statistics Interpretation

Despite persistent eulogies for its demise, the printed book continues to stage a remarkably robust comeback tour, with hardcovers flexing their spines and independent bookstores cashing in as readers prove they still crave the tangible weight of a story in their hands.

Sources & References

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