GITNUXREPORT 2025

Publishing Industry Statistics

Digital sales grow as global publishing surpasses 112 billion dollars in 2022.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Digital book sales accounted for 28% of total book sales worldwide in 2022

Statistic 2

E-books represented 20% of all book sales in the US in 2022

Statistic 3

65% of publishers reported increased revenue from digital sales in 2022

Statistic 4

45% of readers prefer to buy physical books over e-books

Statistic 5

The global print book market declined by 2% in 2022, but digital formats grew by 12%

Statistic 6

55% of adult readers in the US read an e-book in 2022

Statistic 7

72% of readers prefer to access books via subscription services over purchasing individual titles in 2023

Statistic 8

The library sector's digital collection growth rate was 18% in 2022, with digital holdings surpassing 2 million titles

Statistic 9

The number of published books worldwide exceeded 2.2 million titles in 2021

Statistic 10

The number of active publishers worldwide is estimated at over 300,000

Statistic 11

The number of new ISBNs issued annually reaches over 1 million globally

Statistic 12

The average length of a published book is around 320 pages

Statistic 13

The number of new titles published annually in China exceeds 600,000

Statistic 14

The average time to turn a manuscript into a published book is roughly 12 to 18 months

Statistic 15

40% of publishers cite distribution challenges as the primary obstacle in 2023

Statistic 16

The average turnaround time for a peer-reviewed journal article is about 6 months

Statistic 17

The percentage of women authors in the publishing industry increased to 45% in 2022

Statistic 18

50% of publishers are investing in climate-friendly printing practices as part of their sustainability goals in 2023

Statistic 19

The number of self-published titles increased by 24% in 2022, reaching over 1.7 million titles globally

Statistic 20

The average age of published authors is 43 years old

Statistic 21

The most popular genre globally is fiction, accounting for 35% of all published titles in 2022

Statistic 22

85% of publishers use social media marketing to promote titles in 2023

Statistic 23

The average page count of best-selling novels is around 350 pages

Statistic 24

The average payout rate for audiobook narrators is around $200 per finished hour

Statistic 25

The number of international rights deals in publishing increased by 14% in 2022

Statistic 26

Around 60% of publishers are exploring environmentally sustainable printing options in 2023

Statistic 27

The average ratio of hardcover to paperback books published annually is 1:3

Statistic 28

Around 70% of publishers plan to invest more in digital marketing strategies in 2023

Statistic 29

80% of publishers believe AI will significantly impact the industry within the next five years

Statistic 30

The use of augmented reality in children’s books increased by 22% in 2022

Statistic 31

The use of machine learning to recommend books has increased by over 30% in the last two years

Statistic 32

The rise of direct-to-consumer platforms increased sales by 15% in 2022

Statistic 33

The average length of a successful indie book launch campaign is 3 months

Statistic 34

The use of AI for editing and proofreading increased by 25% in the publishing sector in 2023

Statistic 35

Over 40% of publishers reported employing data analytics for sales forecasts in 2023

Statistic 36

33% of publishers have introduced new pricing strategies to adapt to market changes in 2023

Statistic 37

The global publishing market was valued at approximately $112 billion in 2022

Statistic 38

The average revenue per publisher in the US was about $5 million in 2021

Statistic 39

The global audiobook market was valued at approximately $4.4 billion in 2022

Statistic 40

Self-publishing revenues increased by 15% in 2022 compared to 2021

Statistic 41

The average cost to publish a book traditionally ranges from $2,000 to $10,000

Statistic 42

The average royalty rate for traditionally published authors is about 10-15%

Statistic 43

The global children’s book market was valued at approximately $10 billion in 2022

Statistic 44

The top five best-selling books of 2022 together sold over 10 million copies worldwide

Statistic 45

The global market for scholarly and scientific publishing is valued at over $25 billion

Statistic 46

In the US, over 60% of new publishers fail within the first three years

Statistic 47

The global market for audiobooks is projected to reach $8.9 billion by 2030

Statistic 48

The average price of a hardcover book in 2023 is around $27

Statistic 49

70% of publishers believe that book piracy remains a significant challenge

Statistic 50

The global children’s book market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% through 2027

Statistic 51

Content piracy costs the publishing industry an estimated $12 billion annually worldwide

Statistic 52

60% of publishers believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives improve market reach

Statistic 53

The global literary prize winners’ revenue increased by 8% in 2022

Statistic 54

The top 10 best-selling e-books of 2022 earned over $50 million collectively

Statistic 55

The popularity of graphic novels increased by 30% in 2022, with sales surpassing 300 million copies worldwide

Statistic 56

The average number of copies sold for best-selling YA novels is approximately 1 million copies

Statistic 57

The total global revenue from religious publishing is over $15 billion

Statistic 58

The United States accounted for approximately 30% of global book sales in 2022

Statistic 59

The e-book market share in the UK was approximately 30% in 2022

Statistic 60

The top five publishing companies by revenue account for over 50% of the market share worldwide

Statistic 61

The top three publishers in the US hold approximately 45% of the market share

Statistic 62

30% of publishers plan to expand their international markets in 2023

Statistic 63

The market share of small independent publishers increased by 10% in 2022, reaching 22% of the global market

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Key Highlights

The global publishing market was valued at approximately $112 billion in 2022
Digital book sales accounted for 28% of total book sales worldwide in 2022
The number of published books worldwide exceeded 2.2 million titles in 2021
The United States accounted for approximately 30% of global book sales in 2022
E-books represented 20% of all book sales in the US in 2022
The average revenue per publisher in the US was about $5 million in 2021
65% of publishers reported increased revenue from digital sales in 2022
The global audiobook market was valued at approximately $4.4 billion in 2022
The number of active publishers worldwide is estimated at over 300,000
45% of readers prefer to buy physical books over e-books
Self-publishing revenues increased by 15% in 2022 compared to 2021
The average cost to publish a book traditionally ranges from $2,000 to $10,000
The number of new ISBNs issued annually reaches over 1 million globally

The publishing industry is experiencing a dynamic transformation powered by digital innovation, with global revenues surpassing $112 billion in 2022 and digital formats like e-books and audiobooks driving notable growth alongside challenges such as piracy, distribution hurdles, and a shifting landscape of publishers, authors, and readers.

Digital Publishing and E-books

Digital book sales accounted for 28% of total book sales worldwide in 2022
E-books represented 20% of all book sales in the US in 2022
65% of publishers reported increased revenue from digital sales in 2022
45% of readers prefer to buy physical books over e-books
The global print book market declined by 2% in 2022, but digital formats grew by 12%
55% of adult readers in the US read an e-book in 2022
72% of readers prefer to access books via subscription services over purchasing individual titles in 2023
The library sector's digital collection growth rate was 18% in 2022, with digital holdings surpassing 2 million titles

Digital Publishing and E-books Interpretation

Despite a modest decline in print, the digital tide surged significantly in 2022, with e-books now constituting nearly a third of global sales, over half of American adults and a growing majority of readers embracing subscriptions, signaling a digital renaissance that challenges traditional publishing paradigms while reminding us that book lovers still cherish the tangible pages they can hold.

Global Publishing Trends and Production

The number of published books worldwide exceeded 2.2 million titles in 2021
The number of active publishers worldwide is estimated at over 300,000
The number of new ISBNs issued annually reaches over 1 million globally
The average length of a published book is around 320 pages
The number of new titles published annually in China exceeds 600,000
The average time to turn a manuscript into a published book is roughly 12 to 18 months
40% of publishers cite distribution challenges as the primary obstacle in 2023
The average turnaround time for a peer-reviewed journal article is about 6 months
The percentage of women authors in the publishing industry increased to 45% in 2022
50% of publishers are investing in climate-friendly printing practices as part of their sustainability goals in 2023
The number of self-published titles increased by 24% in 2022, reaching over 1.7 million titles globally
The average age of published authors is 43 years old
The most popular genre globally is fiction, accounting for 35% of all published titles in 2022
85% of publishers use social media marketing to promote titles in 2023
The average page count of best-selling novels is around 350 pages
The average payout rate for audiobook narrators is around $200 per finished hour
The number of international rights deals in publishing increased by 14% in 2022
Around 60% of publishers are exploring environmentally sustainable printing options in 2023
The average ratio of hardcover to paperback books published annually is 1:3

Global Publishing Trends and Production Interpretation

With over 2.2 million titles published in 2021 and a global publishing industry balancing sustainability efforts, gender parity gains, and digital promotion—despite distribution hurdles—it's clear that books remain both a reflection of our evolving world and a resilient industry, turning manuscripts into marketable stories at a rapid pace amidst a diverse, dynamic landscape.

Innovations, Sales Performance, and Industry Developments

Around 70% of publishers plan to invest more in digital marketing strategies in 2023
80% of publishers believe AI will significantly impact the industry within the next five years
The use of augmented reality in children’s books increased by 22% in 2022
The use of machine learning to recommend books has increased by over 30% in the last two years
The rise of direct-to-consumer platforms increased sales by 15% in 2022
The average length of a successful indie book launch campaign is 3 months
The use of AI for editing and proofreading increased by 25% in the publishing sector in 2023
Over 40% of publishers reported employing data analytics for sales forecasts in 2023
33% of publishers have introduced new pricing strategies to adapt to market changes in 2023

Innovations, Sales Performance, and Industry Developments Interpretation

As publishers scramble to harness AI, AR, and data-driven strategies—while betting big on digital marketing and agile pricing—it's clear that in the high-stakes game of storytelling, adapting swiftly isn't just smart; it's vital for survival in a rapidly transforming industry.

Market Size and Value

The global publishing market was valued at approximately $112 billion in 2022
The average revenue per publisher in the US was about $5 million in 2021
The global audiobook market was valued at approximately $4.4 billion in 2022
Self-publishing revenues increased by 15% in 2022 compared to 2021
The average cost to publish a book traditionally ranges from $2,000 to $10,000
The average royalty rate for traditionally published authors is about 10-15%
The global children’s book market was valued at approximately $10 billion in 2022
The top five best-selling books of 2022 together sold over 10 million copies worldwide
The global market for scholarly and scientific publishing is valued at over $25 billion
In the US, over 60% of new publishers fail within the first three years
The global market for audiobooks is projected to reach $8.9 billion by 2030
The average price of a hardcover book in 2023 is around $27
70% of publishers believe that book piracy remains a significant challenge
The global children’s book market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% through 2027
Content piracy costs the publishing industry an estimated $12 billion annually worldwide
60% of publishers believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives improve market reach
The global literary prize winners’ revenue increased by 8% in 2022
The top 10 best-selling e-books of 2022 earned over $50 million collectively
The popularity of graphic novels increased by 30% in 2022, with sales surpassing 300 million copies worldwide
The average number of copies sold for best-selling YA novels is approximately 1 million copies
The total global revenue from religious publishing is over $15 billion

Market Size and Value Interpretation

While the publishing industry boasts a robust $112 billion valuation and a booming audiobook market projected to reach $8.9 billion by 2030, it simultaneously grapples with piracy costing $12 billion annually and a high failure rate among new US publishers—reminding us that even in a world of billion-dollar markets and bestsellers, navigating the literary landscape remains a challenging venture for many.

Regional and Market Share Insights

The United States accounted for approximately 30% of global book sales in 2022
The e-book market share in the UK was approximately 30% in 2022
The top five publishing companies by revenue account for over 50% of the market share worldwide
The top three publishers in the US hold approximately 45% of the market share
30% of publishers plan to expand their international markets in 2023
The market share of small independent publishers increased by 10% in 2022, reaching 22% of the global market

Regional and Market Share Insights Interpretation

Despite industry concentration at the top, a rising tide of independent publishers and international expansion plans signal that the publishing landscape continues to diversify and decentralize, even as digital and market dominance shape the narrative.