European Book Publishing Statistics 2011

The total annual sales revenue of book publishers of the EU and the EEA in 2011 was approximately € 22.8 billion, according to the survey conducted by FEP. This represents a decrease from the last estimate of € 23.5 billion for 2010, with most markets recording a lower turnover than the previous
year. The largest markets in terms of publishers’ turnover in 2011 were Germany, followed by the UK, France, Spain and Italy.

A total of about 530,000 new titles were issued by publishers in 2011. The figure was taken from different sources, some of which included new editions or non-commercial titles, and was accordingly rounded conservatively. There was therefore an increase of an estimated 1% in the title output from the previous survey. European publishers held a total of close to 8.5 million different titles in stock, the countries reporting the largest availability being the UK (4.2 million), Germany (around 1.4 million), Italy (over 700,000), France (over 600,000) and Spain (over 450,000).

The countries reporting the largest new titles output1 were the UK (149,800), Germany (82,048), Spain (approx. 44,000), France (41,902) and Italy (39,898).

According to the report, a total of approximately 135,000 people were employed full time in book publishing in 2011, an amount basically equal to one year earlier.

Beyond the individual figures, it can be noted that up to 2007 there was a clear growth trend both in terms of turnover and of titles output. In 2008 title production kept growing whilst turnover, adjusting for exchange rates effects, experienced what was predominantly a flat year. 2009 showed a
slight decrease in turnover (once the exchange rate effect had been accounted for) and a slowdown of title growth. The crisis had less of an impact on publishing when compared to most other sectors (and within the sector, a stronger impact on exports). In 2010, the trend was reverted and growth resumed (especially exports), although favoured by exchange rates. In 2011, the market went down again, quite independently of exchange rates, and title production growth was sluggish. This analysis relies on the examination of more detailed data from a number of members that represent well over 80% of the total turnover and title production.

For further information: Enrico Turrin, +32 2 770 11 10 - eturrin@fep-fee.eu