At the 2025 Madrid Book Fair, directed by Eva Orúe. The 84th edition of this public-facing fair in Retiro Park had New York as its guest city. Image – Getty: David Sanz
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
‘The Spanish Phenomenon’
The top line of the new 2024 report from the Federación de Gremios de Editores de España, the Federation of Spanish Publishers’ Guilds (FGEE), is easy to spot: At €3 billion (US$3.47 billion), Spain’s publishing sector has reached the level of turnover it had before the ordeal that began in 2008.
As you may recall, Spain was especially hard hit by the 2008 financial crisis, with a housing market collapse, credit growth in real estate, a fast-shrinking GDP, unemployment reportedly hitting 27 percent, and political upheaval.
In 11 years of annual growth—a 39.2-percent increase since 2014—the Spanish market has made its way back into profitability and pride.
Daniel Fernández
In transmitting its new report to international news media, the president of the Federación de Gremios de Editores de España, the Federation of Spanish Publishers’ Guilds (FGEE), Daniel Fernández, says, “The continued growth in sales over the last decade has led our European colleagues to speak of the ‘Spanish phenomenon.’
“These figures also reflect the data we’re seeing year after year in the ‘Reading Habits Barometer,’ which shows a growing interest in reading and books.”
Several points of data stand out in this new report:
- The combined 2024 sales of Spanish publishers in the domestic market amounted to €3.037 billion (US$3.51), a figure representing a 6.3-percent increase compared to 2023. Over the past four years, increases have been above 5 percent.
- The increase in the sector’s turnover was primarily driven by an increase in the number of copies sold (10.23 million copies, 5.6 percent more than in 2023). The average price was €14.69 (€0.03, 0.2 percent more than in 2023).
- Publishing output reached 85,542 titles.
- 59,758 titles were produced in print, up 0.4 percent.
- 27,784 in digital format, up 8.7 percent over 2023.
- The average print run fell to 3,517 copies per title, 1.9 percent less than the previous year.
- Ebook sales also increased last year (€165.5 million), reaching a 14.9-percent increase compared to 2023, surpassing the growth recorded between 2020 and 2023 (14.22 percent).
- Sales of downloads reached 18.42 million, a 23.9-percent increase, with an average price of €9, which is 7.3 percent lower than in 2023.
- Bookstores and bookstore chains remain the top distribution channels for books, accounting for 58.2 percent of sales.
- Book sector exports increased by 1.16 percent to €381.08 million. The trade balance also increased to €273.45 million.
Rising Sales of Copies and Downloads
Spain’s domestic trade turnover figures show an 11-year rise from 2013, culminating in regaining a level above €3 billion, a range not seen since the financial crisis. Image: FGEE
The number of copies sold in 2024 reportedly reached 194.5 million, and the publishers’ analysis indicates that part of this 5.6-percent increase over 2023 was because the average price of a book increased only by 0.03 cents, from €14.66 to €14.69.
Audiobook sales saw a significant increase in 2024 in Spain, reaching 9.38 million, a 40-percent increase compared to fiscal year 2023.name
“Even in the case of digital downloads,” the discussion says, “the average price fell from €9.7 to €9.”
In 2024, “adult fiction and children’s books and young adult literature registered increases of 14 percent and 10.9 percent,” the report tells us.
Among novel genres, contemporary novels continue to account for the largest share of revenue, with €348 million (US$402 million).
Nonfiction books and comics also recorded increases of 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively, with €909.33 million (US$1,051.3) and €70.21 (US$81.2) million each.
Audiobook Sales, Balance of Trade, Up in 2024
Audiobook sales also saw a significant increase in 2024 in Spain, reaching 9.38 million, a 40-percent increase compared to fiscal year 2023, the report says.
“The continued growth in sales over the last decade has led our European colleagues to speak of the ‘Spanish phenomenon.’”Daniel Fernández, FGEE
And in terms of the balance of trade, the news for Spain’s publishers was also good.
- Book sector sales in international markets reached €381.08 million in 2024, 1.16 percent more than in 2023. Of these, €361.31 million corresponded to publishing sector exports, 4.04 percent more than the previous year.
- By contrast, sales in the graphic arts sector continued a downward trend of recent years.
- Imports from the book sector also grew in 2024, reaching €107.63 million, 1.8 percent more than the previous year. Export and import figures mean the trade balance remains positive, reaching €273.45 million, 0.9 percent more than the previous year.
- In terms of markets, Latin America remained the main destination for Spanish book exports (publishing and printing), with sales of €191.43 million.
- The European Union followed with revenues of €130.65 million. Together, they represent 84.51 percent of exports.
- By country, Mexico continues to be one of the main markets for the Spanish book sector, with exports valued at €63.60 million, followed by:
- France, €62.37 million
- Argentina, €31.54 million
- Italy, €23.05 million; and
- The United Kingdom, €18.90 million.
In genres of books exported, children’s books and young adult literature accounted for 18.95 percent of book sales, reaching €39.54 million. This was followed by adult literature, with €36.83 million (16.99 percent), and religious books, with €29.87 million (14.31 percent).
The Advanced Report on Domestic Book Trade is prepared by Conecta for the FGEE, sponsored by CEDRO and the ministry of culture.
More from Publishing Perspectives on the Spanish book industry and market is here; more on the industry and markets of Europe is here; and more on industry statistics is here.
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