In 2025, a total of ***** million print books were sold in the United States by outlets which reported their sales. This represents a decrease from the previous year. Unit sales peaked in 2021 and have not surpassed *** million since. Trade paperbacks remained the dominant format. Book sales statistics Looking at book sales by year, 2005 to 2010 were the most lucrative for the printed book market, with well over *** million units sold annually during that five-year period. After dropping below *** million in 2012, gradual and consistent increases can be seen each year, with the exception of between the years 2018 and 2019. For bookstores though, how many books are sold each year depends on the success of key months across a twelve-month period. Bookstore sales in the United States are at their highest in December, January, and August, but figures for December are consistently higher than other months. Books are popular holiday gifts, with around ** to ** percent of consumers responding to annual surveys in each year from 2012 to 2025 saying that they planned to purchase books as presents during the festive season.

The best-selling print book in the United States in 2024 ranked by unit sales was "The Women" by Kristin Hannah, with a over 1.44 million sales. Other successful books which sold well that year included two successful titles by Colleen Hoover, including "It Starts With Us" and "It Ends With Us". The top 10 best-selling print books in 2024 were written mostly by women, with Rebecca Yarros also enjoying over 800,000 unit sales of both her books "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame". Print book sales remain stable In 2023, adult nonfiction sales of print books in the U.S. amounted to over 280 million. Whilst this was the lowest recorded since 2017, the category remained the bestselling book category. Adult fiction sales on the other hand rose to over 190 million units, continuing the upward trend from previous years. Despite the growing prevalence of digital books, print remains a popular option. Print still accounts for the majority of U.S. book sales revenue According to the most recently available data, the size of the U.S. audiobook market was estimated at 1.8 billion U.S. dollars, and could soon surpass the two billion dollar mark if annual growth continues at the same rate. Whilst sales of digital books are generally more difficult to track and therefore prone to adjustments, data shows that print still accounts for the majority of U.S. books sales revenue, at roughly three times the amount generated by e-books and audiobooks combined. Print book sales in the U.S are overall higher than in the early 2000s, showing not only an ongoing interest in the format but even an uptick in book buying in recent years.

Adult fiction book sales increased by *** percent between H1 2024 and H1 2025, with 2025 unit sales hitting ***** million between January and June that year. Adult nonfiction sales saw the biggest decline year over year with a drop of *** percent.

The number of print books sold in the United Kingdom amounted to approximately *** million in 2023, representing a decline of around **** percent in volume compared to the previous year. Notably, the 2021 figure marked the highest on record since 2012, whereas the number recorded in 2020 was the first time since 2012 that book sales in the UK surpassed *** million, with *** million books sold nationwide that year. This growth was attributed mostly to the coronavirus outbreak, which saw many consumers increase their media consumption during various local and national lockdowns. Book consumption and COVID-19 In March 2020 when countries across the world implemented measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, consumers upped their in-home media usage to keep themselves occupied during lockdown. Close to ** percent of UK internet users who participated in a survey in March 2020 reported reading more books or listening to more audiobooks at home during that time, and later waves of the survey held in May saw that figure climb above ** percent. By the summer of 2020, despite the gradual reopening of society as infection rates declined, a survey held in July showed that consumers expected in-home media consumption changes even after the pandemic came to an end. Book consumption, both physical and digital, ranked among the top ten media formats UK consumers planned to spend more time with in the future. Digital book market Digital books are growing more and more popular in the United Kingdom, with e-book download frequency having increased in the last few years along with general e-book access. Audiobooks are also carving a path for themselves in the market, and consumer audiobook download sales revenue was close to *** billion GBP in 2019. In the same year, book publishing houses reported *** million British pounds in revenue generated through digital books sales, up from *** million a decade earlier.

CN: Printed Book: Sales Revenue: ytd data was reported at 33.702 RMB bn in Oct 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.109 RMB bn for Sep 2015. CN: Printed Book: Sales Revenue: ytd data is updated monthly, averaging 10.908 RMB bn from Dec 2003 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 97 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.714 RMB bn in Dec 2014 and a record low of 1.449 RMB bn in Feb 2006. CN: Printed Book: Sales Revenue: ytd data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

CN: Printed Book: Sales Tax and Surcharge: ytd data was reported at 0.234 RMB bn in Oct 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.208 RMB bn for Sep 2015. CN: Printed Book: Sales Tax and Surcharge: ytd data is updated monthly, averaging 0.060 RMB bn from Dec 2003 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 97 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.330 RMB bn in Dec 2014 and a record low of 0.006 RMB bn in Feb 2007. CN: Printed Book: Sales Tax and Surcharge: ytd data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

The sales of books by language of printing , by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 511130 book publishers, which include all members under sales, (dollars X 1,000,000), every 2 years, for five years of data.

CN: Printed Book: Profit from Sales Revenue: ytd data was reported at 4.901 RMB bn in Oct 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.330 RMB bn for Sep 2015. CN: Printed Book: Profit from Sales Revenue: ytd data is updated monthly, averaging 2.017 RMB bn from Dec 2006 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 83 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.817 RMB bn in Dec 2014 and a record low of 0.254 RMB bn in Feb 2007. CN: Printed Book: Profit from Sales Revenue: ytd data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

In 2025, the best-selling print book in the United States ranked by unit sales was "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins, with around **** million sales. Other successful books which sold well that year included "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins and the Wing and Claw edition of "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros. These were the only books that year to exceed *** million in unit sales. Print book sales remain stable In the first half of 2025, sales of printed adult nonfiction sales in the U.S. amounted to roughly ***** million units. Whilst this was the lowest sales figure recorded in over a category, the genre remained the bestselling book category. Adult fiction was the second-most popular option, with sales of around **** million units in the same time frame. Despite the growing prevalence of digital books, print remains a popular option. Print still accounts for the majority of U.S. book sales revenue In 2024, the size of the U.S. audiobook market was estimated at *** billion U.S. dollars. Whilst sales of digital books are generally more difficult to track and therefore prone to adjustments, data shows that print still accounts for the majority of U.S. books sales revenue, at roughly ***** times the amount generated by e-books and audiobooks combined. Print book sales in the U.S are overall higher than in the 2010s, showing not only an ongoing interest in the format but even an uptick in book buying in recent years.

In 2021, mass market paperback sales grew by over ** million from the previous year, with over ***** million units sold compared to the ***** million sold in 2020. The only format not to have seen sales growth between 2020 and 2021 was mass market paperbacks. Sales dropped by *** percent year over year, and a consistent annual decline can be seen from 2013 onwards.

Net value of book sales by customer category, includes all members under Net value of book sales by customer category, for Book publishers, for Canada and regions, for one year of data.

Online Book Sales are growing modestly in 2025, with revenue up 2.9% to reach $10.2 billion. Faster fulfillment, polished mobile checkout and app upgrades make buying books online feel immediate and effortless — especially for younger, mobile-first readers. Convenience continues to win the cart, with streamlined delivery windows, transparent returns and personalized recommendations lifting conversion and repeat purchases. Meanwhile, direct-to-consumer and subscription models support profit through recurring engagement and lower acquisition costs. The industry has expanded at a CAGR of 1.2% over the past five years, as on-the-go browsing and one-tap payments shifted discovery and purchase to phones. AI-driven recommendations and dynamic promotions nudged shoppers from browsing to buying in a single session. Independent book stores narrowed the tech gap via IndieCommerce 2.0, mapping enterprise-grade personalization and modern storefront tools to local businesses, with reported average sales per store up 15.0% in 2024. Amazon's scale and algorithmic merchandising amplified review and price signals into front-page placement, compressing rivals' pricing power. However, e-book unit economics lifted profit by sidestepping print, freight and returns. Industry revenue is projected to climb at a 2.7% CAGR to $11.6 billion by 2030, as convenience, lower prices and rapid delivery keep nudging purchases to digital carts. Subscriptions, family plans and loyalty bundles will help stabilize spending across print, e-book and audiobook formats. AI-sharpened discovery, voice assistants, read-and-listen sync and wallet-native checkout will raise mobile conversion and basket size. Social media platforms and creator feeds funnel low-cost customer acquisition traffic, boosting preorders and backlist sales. At the same time, they also heighten week-to-week volatility around viral titles, necessitating dynamic pricing and nimble inventory management. Amazon will likely retain its dominant position, yet IndieCommerce-enabled independents can defend their share through curated editions, signed runs and coordinated two- to three-day fulfillment. They can balance price transparency with community and data-led personalization to sustain earnings as digital formats deepen engagement.

CN: Printed Book: YoY: Selling and Distribution Cost: ytd data was reported at 2.868 % in Oct 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.367 % for Sep 2015. CN: Printed Book: YoY: Selling and Distribution Cost: ytd data is updated monthly, averaging 12.580 % from Jan 2006 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 89 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 44.268 % in Jun 2012 and a record low of -6.470 % in Aug 2006. CN: Printed Book: YoY: Selling and Distribution Cost: ytd data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data was reported at 9.565 % in Oct 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.338 % for Sep 2015. China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data is updated monthly, averaging 14.190 % from Jan 2006 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 89 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.620 % in Mar 2011 and a record low of 6.050 % in Sep 2006. China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

Data from a 2019 survey revealed that 65 percent of adults had read a printed book in the last year, down from 67 percent in the previous year. The share of adults who read print books tends to fluctuate annually, but since 2011 the majority of survey respondents have thus far always reported doing so each year.

Print book sales statistics and consumption habits

Printed books are performing well in the United States demonstrating perhaps surprising but positive growth in terms of unit sales. Print book sales in 2018 amounted to 695 million, the highest figure recorded since 2010.

Print books are still by far the most popular book format among U.S. adults, though data shows that there has been a drop in print book readership among adults who did not complete high school. Between 2018 and 2019, the share of adults in this category who had read a print book within the twelve months leading to the survey dropped by ten percent.

On a more positive note, a separate survey revealed that U.S. adults were able to list several key benefits to reading physical books. More than 80 percent of respondents said that reading print books helped them to learn about history, focus their attention, or find out about different cultures, and others found reading physical books useful for reducing their stress levels or enhancing their creativity.

Print also remains by far the most popular format for U.S. Bible readers, and when it comes to comics and graphic novels, print formats make up the vast majority of sales revenue, not just in the United States but across all of North America.

China Printed Book: Cost of Sales: Year to Date data was reported at 28.567 RMB bn in Oct 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 25.571 RMB bn for Sep 2015. China Printed Book: Cost of Sales: Year to Date data is updated monthly, averaging 9.134 RMB bn from Dec 2003 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 97 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.567 RMB bn in Dec 2014 and a record low of 1.221 RMB bn in Feb 2006. China Printed Book: Cost of Sales: Year to Date data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

China Printed Book: Profit Ratio from Sales Revenue data was reported at 7.477 % in Oct 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.425 % for Sep 2015. China Printed Book: Profit Ratio from Sales Revenue data is updated monthly, averaging 6.637 % from Dec 2006 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 83 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.491 % in Dec 2014 and a record low of 4.589 % in Feb 2007. China Printed Book: Profit Ratio from Sales Revenue data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Tax and Surcharge: Year to Date data was reported at -4.688 % in Oct 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of -3.041 % for Sep 2015. China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Tax and Surcharge: Year to Date data is updated monthly, averaging 21.740 % from Jan 2006 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 89 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 135.976 % in Feb 2012 and a record low of -36.448 % in Feb 2013. China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Tax and Surcharge: Year to Date data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

Over *** million print books were sold in Russia in 2023. That was around *** percent more than in the previous year. In 2019, the volume of book sales was the highest over the observed period.

China Book, Newspaper Published Printing: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data was reported at -0.567 % in Oct 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.473 % for Sep 2015. China Book, Newspaper Published Printing: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data is updated monthly, averaging 13.060 % from Jan 2006 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 89 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.720 % in Jun 2011 and a record low of -0.567 % in Oct 2015. China Book, Newspaper Published Printing: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Book, Newspaper and Published Printing.