Asia-Pacific now dominates as the world's largest publishing market in 2024

The Asia-Pacific region has become the world’s largest publishing market. It is also the fastest-growing, with revenues estimated between $400 billion and $420 billion in 2024. Rising literacy, digital trends, and the spread of English are fuelling this rapid expansion. China and India lead the region’s publishing boom. In China, the reading rate climbed to 82.1% in 2024, up from just 51.7% two decades earlier. Meanwhile, India now ranks as the world’s second-largest English-language publishing market.

Print books still dominate, making up around 60% of sales across the region. Yet digital platforms are reshaping how people read, especially in Southeast Asia. Apps like Wattpad and Webnovel have gained massive popularity, shifting reading habits online. Japan’s market also thrives, with manga-related sales reaching ¥54.3 billion (about $372 million) in 2024. The combination of traditional print and digital growth highlights the region’s diverse publishing landscape.

The Asia-Pacific publishing industry continues to expand at an unmatched pace. With strong demand in China, India, and Southeast Asia, the market shows no signs of slowing. Both print and digital formats are driving revenues, securing the region’s position as a global leader.