LONDON, Monday 10 March 2025: In the week of The London Book Fair (LBF, 11-13 March), the world’s biggest spring book trade event, NielsenIQ BookData has today unveiled key insights into international book sales trends in 2024, surveying a total of 17 territories.
- New data unveiled just before The London Book Fair this week
- Record sales of sci-fi & fantasy, as well as comics & graphic novels, while TikTok fuels the growth of “Romantasy”
- Female authors top international charts
- eBook and audiobook sales beyond pre-pandemic levels, with physical bookshop purchases also on the rise
PRESS IMAGES HERE
NEW GENRES ON THE RISE
In the UK, the Science-Fiction & Fantasy category generated nearly £25 million more in value sales compared to 2023, as well as showing year-on-year increase in sales across all territories. Sci-fi & Fantasy also achieved its highest number of overall weekly chart No. 1s in a year since records began, with 5 weeks and 4 titles.
Romance book sales were also up in numerous countries, suggesting the growth of the “Romantasy” trend internationally, boosted by the BookTok community on TikTok. Across all age groups, sales of romantasy books were driven by younger readers, with 66% of romantasy titles bought by readers aged 13-34.
The children’s comics & graphic novels category in the UK reached a lifetime sales high of nearly £20 million, showing the huge demand for new genres and formats, in particular from younger generations.
The rise of new genres comes as good news for the industry, showing how the sector continues to explore new ways to engage younger readers, in particular at a time when the decline in children’s reading habits is coming under the spotlight (source: National Literacy Trust, November 2024).
BEST-SELLING FEMALE FICTION
Fiction books in print continue to drive sales across all surveyed markets, with many countries showing volume growth in this category. The top-performing Fiction titles among the countries tracked are all by female authors, including: Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo, and Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid. Notably, L.J. Ross shows significant popularity in the North of England, becoming the second most popular Fiction author in the region, surpassing all except Freida McFadden.
Meanwhile, Fiction hardbacks in the UK saw the largest value sales on record, with 6 titles selling more than 100,000 units. Short stories and novels with less than 200 pages also experienced growth, led by Stephen King’s You Like It Darker and Booker Prize-winner Orbital by Samantha Harvey.
AUDIO AND EBOOK BOOM, BUT ALSO BOOKSHOPS
Sales of eBooks had a strong year, rebounding from the post-pandemic drop off, with increases seen across the fiction, non-fiction and children’s categories. Audiobook purchases also grew across all main categories and age ranges, with the most significant increase among females aged 25-34.
Alongside the rise of digital book sales, the share of fiction purchases through physical bookshops has increased to above pre-pandemic levels, showing that customers still value buying books from their local high street.
MIXED AREAS OF GROWTH
Out of the 17 countries where NielsenIQ BookData tracks print book sales, just over half have shown an increase in the number of books purchased by consumers compared to 2023. Among these, Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, and Spain have all experienced volume growth in print book sales, with most of these countries also showing growth in sales value.
Hazel Kenyon, Commercial Director, NielsenIQ BookData, commented: “We are delighted to share our latest findings, which highlight a boost in fiction sales as readers worldwide demonstrate a strong appetite for compelling stories. While growth is not universal across all markets, with many facing challenges due to ongoing economic factors, there are many positives with pockets of growth in all genres. The dedication of everyone in the trade is evident, from publishers delivering relevant and engaging content across various formats to booksellers creating inviting retail spaces for readers and buyers. These efforts collectively contribute to a vibrant and resilient book industry.”
Adam Ridgway, Director of The London Book Fair, said: “It’s encouraging to see the book market performing so well in the past year – a testament to the huge contribution of the creative industries to the UK and international economy. With fiction driving the strong sale increase, it’s great to see that all the top-performing fiction titles are by female writers. Another exciting figure for us is the record-breaking sales of comics and graphic novels, which will be celebrated at this year’s LBF with the first ever Creative of the Fair, Jamie Smart, creator of the much-loved series Bunny vs. Monkey. Meanwhile, in our newly expanded Audio Village, we’ll be showcasing all things audiobooks, another book format that enjoyed renewed popularity in 2024. We’re looking forward to unveiling additional insights from NielsenIQ BookData during their Main Stage session at the Fair, and cannot wait to welcome the book trade back to Olympia tomorrow, kicking off the book industry calendar of 2025 in style.”
NielsenIQ BookData will hold a session called Faster, Higher, Stronger? The UK & International Book Markets in 2024 during The London Book Fair, at 11:15am on Tuesday 11 March, on the Main Stage. The talk will give audiences an overview of bestselling titles and format and consumer buying in the territories tracked by NielsenIQ BookData.
For a comprehensive overview of UK consumer book buying in 2024 Steve Bohme will be presenting at a dedicated session hosted by NielsenIQ BookData on 26th March in London. Please visit this link for tickets.
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the world’s largest spring book trade and publishing event and will return to its home at Olympia London from 11 – 13 March 2025. Visitor registration is now open, at this link.
To apply for a press pass for The London Book Fair, please visit this link.