Book market in Finland - statistics & facts
Despite the rise of audiobooks, reading remains a popular hobby in Finland; on average, Finns spend around 19 minutes per day reading books. While the market value of the Finnish book industry fluctuated in the past, it increased by two million euros in 2022. However, the number of published book titles is going down almost every year since 2013.
As of 2022, the most sold Finnish fiction book was written by Ilkka Remes, one of Finland’s best-known authors. The author sold 30,600 copies of one of his newest books Tornado. Ilkka Remes not only writes thrillers for adults but has also released various thrillers for young adults. The most sold e-book of 2022 was Satu Rämö's crime novel Hildur. A crime novel taking place in Iceland and Finland and the first part of a series consisting of four books.
Next to normal public libraries, Finland also offers modern mobile libraries in the form of specially outfitted buses. These buses offer almost the same books as central libraries due to a reservation system for books.
The Finnish book industry is expected to see a rise in revenues from digital sales. Despite the growth in digital platforms, print books remain popular, with e-books and audiobooks serving as supplementary options rather than substitutes.
Publishing and sales
Publishers' sales revenue from printed general literature declined overall over the past five years. While physical books generate less revenue, digital publications are on the rise and are catching up with printed sales. Overall, publisher sales revenue from digital publications increased significantly each year since 2019.As of 2022, the most sold Finnish fiction book was written by Ilkka Remes, one of Finland’s best-known authors. The author sold 30,600 copies of one of his newest books Tornado. Ilkka Remes not only writes thrillers for adults but has also released various thrillers for young adults. The most sold e-book of 2022 was Satu Rämö's crime novel Hildur. A crime novel taking place in Iceland and Finland and the first part of a series consisting of four books.
Libraries are popular in Finland
In Finland, public libraries are an important part of society and public life. They are used not only to obtain information or to borrow materials, but also to spend time and meet people. Libraries' selection typically extends to electronic materials and services. The country had 723 public libraries as of 2022. Library services are also quite popular. The number of public libraries has dropped by 104 since 2012. Despite the declining number of libraries, the number of books borrowed from them showed a different trend. Since 2020, the number of borrowed books increased again, reaching almost 69 million in 2022.Next to normal public libraries, Finland also offers modern mobile libraries in the form of specially outfitted buses. These buses offer almost the same books as central libraries due to a reservation system for books.
The Finnish book industry is expected to see a rise in revenues from digital sales. Despite the growth in digital platforms, print books remain popular, with e-books and audiobooks serving as supplementary options rather than substitutes.
