27 Important Book Sales Statistics To Know (2024 Data)
From the rapid rise of ebooks to the steadfast love for printed books, the book industry is constantly changing. In 2023 alone, Americans purchased a remarkable 767 million printed books, showing how much we still love physical copies.
In this blog, we look at the latest book sales statistics, revealing fascinating trends in reading habits and what readers really prefer. We'll also explore the growing popularity of self-published books, audiobooks, and more to get a sense of how the book world is evolving.
Book Sales Statistics 2024 (Editor's Picks)
- Over 2.2 billion books are sold each year. The US, UK, and China account for over 72% of these sales.
- Around 767 million copies of printed books were sold in the United States in 2023.
- The global book publishing market is valued at $144.67 billion and is projected to reach $163.91 billion by 2032.
- It's estimated that over 300 million self-published books are sold each year.
- Audiobooks are the fastest-growing segment in the book industry, with more than $1.8 billion in sales in the US.
Book Sales Growth Over the Years
In 2020, book sales in the US increased by 9.27% compared to 2019. With lockdowns in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people had more time at home and turned to books for entertainment and escape.
Online book sales saw a 24% rise during this time compared to 2019. The pandemic also made more people switch to ebooks, leading to a 4% increase in ebook sales as readers favored digital formats over printed books.
U.S. publishers sold 837 million print books in 2021, marking an 8.9% growth over the previous year. Despite the rise in print book sales, Pew data reveals that the share of Americans reading print books remained constant. Many readers turned to audiobooks and ebooks during this time.
After strong pandemic-driven sales, print book sales fell by 6.5% in 2022, as more entertainment and travel options opened up following the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns. However, print book sales in 2022 were still 11.8% higher than in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year
In 2023, the book industry faced some challenges but managed to cut loses, with only a 2.6% decrease in overall book sales.
The US audiobook market continues to grow steadily, with revenue growing by 9% in 2023. In 2024, US audiobook sales hit an impressive $2 billion.
| Amazon is the largest bookseller in the world. It controls nearly 80% of all book distribution in the US. |
Bookstore sales in the US peak in December, January, and August, with December consistently having the highest sales figures.
Here's a table that shows the number of print books sold in the US over the years:
| Year | Print Book Sales |
| 2023 | 767.36 million |
| 2022 | 787.65 million |
| 2021 | 837.66 million |
| 2020 | 756.82 million |
| 2019 | 697.31 million |
| 2018 | 698.44 million |
| 2017 | 686.9 million |
| 2016 | 674 million |
How Many Books Are Published Each Year?
UNESCO estimates that around 2.2 million books are published each year.
However, when considering self-published authors, the total number of new book titles published each year comes close to 4 million.
In the US specifically, the publishing industry remains strong, with around 500,000 to 1 million new titles being released every year, including print and digital formats.
Penguin Random House alone publishes 85,000 titles each year, the highest number published by a major publishing house.
Here's a table showing the number of books published per country as of the latest year available:
| Rank | Country | Year | Titles |
| 1 | United States | 2013 | 275,232 |
| 2 | China | 2013 | 208,418 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 2018 | 188,000 |
| 4 | Japan | 2017 | 139,078 |
| 5 | Russia | 2019 | 115,171 |
| 6 | Iran | 2018 | 102,691 |
| 7 | France | 2018 | 106,799 |
| 8 | India | 2013 | 90,000 |
| 9 | Spain | 2017 | 89,962 |
| 10 | Germany | 2022 | 71,524 |
Many published books have an ISBN (International Standard Book Number), which is a useful way to measure how productive a country’s publishing industry is.
However, this data is not collected for all countries, so the count may not reflect the total number of books published. Also, some books have multiple ISBNs.
How Many Novels Are Published Each Year?
Approximately 440,000 novels are published each year in the US. This includes a wide range of genres, from romance and mystery to science fiction and fantasy.
The rise of self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing has contributed to this growth, which allows authors to bypass traditional publishing routes
How Many Fiction Books Are Sold Each Year?
More than 52.88% of all print book sales in the US consist of fiction books.
The Harry Potter book series holds the record for being the most widely read fiction books on Amazon. Most have spent 355 weeks on Amazon Charts.
How Many Copies Does The Average Book Sell?
The average book sells nearly 200 copies in a year and 1,000 over its lifetime. This includes both traditionally published and self-published books.
However, these numbers can vary significantly depending on the genre, marketing efforts, and whether the book gains any notable media attention or awards.
Most books do not achieve large sales numbers. Only 6.7% of new titles released by the top 10 US publishers sell more than 10,000 copies in their first year of sales, and only 12.3% of books sell more than 5,000 copies in their first year.
Amazon Book Sales Statistics
Amazon remains the dominant force in the book industry, particularly in the US. 71% of readers said they had bought a book from Amazon in the past year.
As of 2024, Amazon also holds a significant share of the ebook market, with an estimated 83% in the US.
This dominance is reflected in Amazon's ability to drive sales and visibility for authors. For instance, if a book is #1 on Amazon, it can sell over 100,000 copies in a week. Even a book that’s #100 can sell about 1,500 copies each week.
In terms of physical books, Amazon sells approximately 300 million printed books annually, generating around $28 billion globally.
The platform’s influence extends to its self-publishing arm, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which has revolutionized the independent publishing market.
Over 1,000 self-published authors earn at least $50,000 annually through Kindle royalties, with some top indie authors making over $500,000 per year
Most Sold Book on Amazon
One of the most sold books on Amazon is "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. It has consistently been a top seller since its release and continues to be incredibly popular.
While the rankings change periodically, the top-selling fiction book on Amazon currently is "The Housemaid is Watching by Frieda McFadden. The best-selling non-fiction book is "Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Fastest Selling Books in History
The fastest-selling book in history is "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.
This seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series sold 8.3 million copies in the first 24 hours following its release in the US in July 2007.
Here's a table with a few more books that set impressive records for fast sales:
| Book | Duration | Copies Sold |
| "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K Rowling | First 24 hours | 6.9 million |
| "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling | First 24 hours | 5 million |
| "Twilight: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer | First 24 hours | 1.3 million |
| "The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown | First 24 hours | 1 million |
| "A Promised Land by Barack Obama | First 24 hours | 890,000 |
| "Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee | First week | 1.1 million |
| "The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling | First three weeks | 1 million |
| "Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James | First week | 100,000 |
| "The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins | First year | 1 million |
Popular Book Genres in the US
Fantasy is the most popular book genre in the US, accounting for 49% of the reading preferences. It is closely followed by romance at 42%, history at 39%, and science fiction at 36%.
Non-fiction, particularly self-help books, have become increasingly popular in recent years. The self-help book market grew significantly, with a 63% increase in sales in categories related to body, mind, and spirit and a 30% increase in general self-help books
Historical Fiction remains a top choice among adult readers. According to industry reports, historical fiction books sold over 25 million copies in 2023.
Young Adult (YA) books are one of the fastest-growing markets in the publishing world.
Children’s books and the young adult segment together account for a global market worth $11.76 billion.
Graphic novels no longer have a niche market and have become especially popular among young adults. The revenue from comics and graphic novel sales in the US has grown to over $2.16 billion.
eBook Sales Statistics
In 2024, ebook revenues in the US reached $83.1 million, a 16.8% increase from 2023.
Over the first four months of 2024, ebook sales grew by 2.3% year-over-year, totaling $338.1 million.
The global ebook market is currently valued at $22.4 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% projected through 2034
Amazon remains a key player in the ebook market, accounting for 83% of US ebook sales. The Kindle platform alone has significantly shaped the digital reading landscape
Print Book Sales Statistics
In 2023, the total revenues for the US book industry were $12.6 billion. Print formats saw mixed results: hardback revenues were down 8.6%, paperbacks were down 7.2%, but mass market sales were up 5.4%.
In Q1 2024, the US print book market sold 195 million units, which is 6 million units less than the same period in 2023, showing a 3% decrease year-over-year. However, this still represents a 15% increase compared to Q1 2019.
In May 2024, the US print book market saw a 5% increase in sales compared to May 2023, indicating continued growth. US print book sales went up by 3 million units at this time.
Print books continue to dominate, accounting for over 78% of the global revenue share in 2023, even though digital formats are becoming more common.
Younger adults are leading the way in reading physical books. In a 2021 study, 83% of people aged 18 to 29 reported reading a book in some format, with a strong preference for print books over e-books
Audiobook Sales Statistics
The audiobook industry saw a 9% increase in revenue in 2023, reaching $2 billion. This indicates a sustained growth trend over the years
More than half of US adults (52%) have listened to an audiobook, with 38% having done so in the last year, up from 35% in the previous year.
The average number of audiobooks listened to by avid listeners in the past year is 6.8, up from 6.3 the previous year
The majority of audiobook listeners fall within the 18 to 44 age bracket, making up 57% of all listeners.
Women are slightly more likely to listen to audiobooks than men, with 25% of female respondents reporting audiobook use compared to 22% of male respondents
Audiobooks are also popular among children, with 53% of audiobook listeners, with children saying their kids also listen to audiobooks.
Subscriptions to audiobook services are growing, with 63% of listeners subscribing to at least one service.
Ebook Reader Statistics
The global e-reader market, which includes the USA, is projected to reach $14.5 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2021 to 2026
In 2023, approximately 22.5 million e-reader devices were sold globally, with a significant portion attributed to the US market.
Amazon’s Kindle remains the dominant player, accounting for around 72% of all e-reader sales in the USA. Other notable brands include Kobo and Barnes and Noble’s Nook.
From Print to Digital Success (Case Study)
Let's take a look at Penguin Random House's strategy, which demonstrates how a major publishing house has effectively adapted to digital trends to increase sales, expand its reach, and maintain industry leadership.
Penguin Random House's Digital Strategy Analysis
Penguin Random House (PRH) is one of the largest global publishers, known for its extensive catalog of bestsellers across various genres.
Background: In the early 2010s, PRH faced growing competition from eBooks, audiobooks, and self-publishing platforms, threatening its traditional publishing model.
Challenge: The rise of digital media required PRH to adapt quickly to maintain its market position and continue reaching readers in new formats.
Negative Impact: Initially, the shift to digital posed significant challenges, with potential declines in print book sales and the need for substantial investment in new technologies.
Strategic Adaptation:
- Digital Catalog Expansion: PRH undertook an extensive project to digitize its backlist into eBooks and audiobooks, ensuring both new and classic titles were accessible to digital readers.
- Investment in Audiobooks: PRH established in-house recording studios and partnered with renowned narrators to produce high-quality audiobooks.
- Enhanced Digital Marketing: Using targeted social media campaigns and email marketing informed by data analytics, PRH tailored its marketing efforts to reader preferences.
- Partnerships with Digital Platforms: PRH collaborated with Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Audible to expand its distribution and increase its visibility.
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales: PRH launched an eCommerce platform for direct sales of digital and print books, fostering closer relationships with readers.
- Innovative Content Delivery: PRH explored new content delivery methods, such as serialized novels and interactive eBooks, to engage tech-savvy readers.
Results:
- Revenue Growth: Digital formats accounted for 30% of total sales, with audiobooks growing 20% year-over-year.
- Global Reach: Digitization expanded PRH’s reach, boosting sales in emerging markets like India and Brazil.
- Enhanced Engagement: Digital marketing increased online engagement by 40%, with higher website traffic and social media followers.
- Author Success: Bestselling authors saw significant boosts in digital sales, enhancing PRH’s market position.
This case study highlights the importance of embracing digital trends while maintaining core strengths. Penguin Random House’s experience serves as a valuable lesson for publishers aiming to innovate and meet evolving reader preferences without losing traditional market leadership.
Source: Forbes, Publisher's Weekly
Wrapping Up
The book industry is thriving with notable trends in printed books, audiobooks, and self-publishing. Despite shifts toward digital formats, print remains strong, with the global book publishing market valued at $144.67 billion.
Audiobooks show significant growth, reaching $2 billion in sales. Amazon continues to lead in book sales, heavily influencing the market. As reading habits evolve, both traditional and digital formats continue to shape the industry.
