Amy Watson
Research expert covering news and publishing
UK book industry - statistics & facts
Books are the outlier in the media industry when it comes to traditional versus digital media consumption, with print still faring well despite the introduction of audiobooks and e-books into the market. Book sales growth among individual booksellers improved substantially in several markets around the world, with Mexico, Denmark, and Portugal seeing the highest growth year over year. Whilst sales growth in the United Kingdom dropped by five percent among sellers, revenue was overall on the up, and print books continue to be important to British readers.
At the same time, audiobooks are growing in popularity among UK consumers. Audiobook download sales revenue surpassed 200 million British pounds for the first time in 2023, a number more than twice the figure recorded in 2019. This steady revenue growth evidences the increased demand for the format, and e-books are also appealing to the modern book reader.
This continued engagement with books in the UK is encouraging news for publishers, who can capitalize on UK book readers’ longstanding love of print as well as their interest in new and emerging alternatives.
Print remains relevant, digital gaining traction
Total digital publisher sales revenue of books, journals, and rights in the United Kingdom reached 3.2 billion British pounds in 2023, with physical revenue surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Physical book revenue is approaching four billion GBP, and whilst digital revenue could overtake print in the next year or two, print books remain very popular.At the same time, audiobooks are growing in popularity among UK consumers. Audiobook download sales revenue surpassed 200 million British pounds for the first time in 2023, a number more than twice the figure recorded in 2019. This steady revenue growth evidences the increased demand for the format, and e-books are also appealing to the modern book reader.
Brits remain avid readers
Survey data revealed that nine percent of adult respondents had read 12 or more books in the last three months – and almost 20 percent had read between five and 11. Social grade has a small effect on book readership, but in general, similar shares of ABC1 and C2DE adults read regularly. Books also feature prevalently in British households, with most people keeping physical books on a bookshelf after they finish reading. Various initiatives also exist in the UK to get kids reading or ensure they leave school with good literacy skills, including the Young Readers Programme, which aims to support children living in deprived areas and those in receipt of free school meals.This continued engagement with books in the UK is encouraging news for publishers, who can capitalize on UK book readers’ longstanding love of print as well as their interest in new and emerging alternatives.
