The Netherlands is celebrating its highest book sales in over a decade. According to the latest Collective Propaganda of the Dutch Book Foundation (CPNB) report, residents of the Netherlands purchased a remarkable 43 million books across all formats in 2023. This achievement was the highest number of books sold since 2012.
The noteworthy increase in book sales was mainly attributed to foreign-language books, with a significant focus on titles in English. This surge in demand for books in languages other than Dutch contributed significantly to the overall growth of the book market.
Eveline Aendekerk, the director of CPNB, expressed her encouragement at witnessing a continuous upward trend in book sales for the fourth consecutive year. France, England, America, and Germany experienced a reduction in book sales during this period, making this achievement even more outstanding. Aendekerk emphasized the enriching impact of reading on individuals and society and the CPNB's commitment to connecting people with books.
CPNB's mission is to enhance individuals' lives by encouraging a greater engagement with books. Through inspirational initiatives and book promotions, CPNB has shown its commitment to demonstrating that books have the power to enrich and deepen understanding.
Readers in the Netherlands invested 685 million euros in books in 2023, marking a 3 percent increase compared with the previous year. The growth was seen in physical book sales, albeit a slight decrease of 0.3 percent, and a significant rise of 5 percent in individual e-book sales outside subscription models. This positive shift in e-book sales came after two years of decline, indicating changing preferences among readers.
While the overall trend was positive, the report noted a 1 percent decline in the sale of Dutch-language books. This decrease was observed across various genres, with non-fiction leisure books, such as cooking or hobby books, experiencing a 6 percent drop. Dutch-language fiction books also faced a decline of 4 percent, continuing a multi-year trend in this category.
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The report showed that "Atlas, The Story of Pa Salt" by the late Lucinda Riley and her son Harry Whittaker was the best-selling book in 2023. Dutch writer Francine Oomen's "Hoe overleef ik alles wat ik niemand vertel?" secured the second spot with 139,000 copies. The third position went to "De Camino" by Anya Niewierra, which sold 113,000 copies and was the most borrowed book from libraries, with 47,000 loans in the country.
A notable shift in the reading landscape was the rise of subscription services, which accounted for just over half of e-book and audiobook sales for the first time. Although streaming services were not included in the reported book sales figures, CPNB highlighted the increasing popularity of subscription-based book consumption. This shift reflected a change in how readers access books and signified a growing appetite for diverse and convenient reading options.
The Netherlands' public libraries also played a crucial role in the reading habits of residents, with approximately 50.6 million physical books and audiobooks borrowed in 2023. While this marked a slight decrease of 1 percent compared with the previous year, online libraries saw an increase in digital lending, with 5.5 million e-books (a 4 percent increase) and 2.3 million audiobooks (a 10 percent increase) borrowed.
CPNB acknowledged the book industry's challenges, including increased costs. Looking ahead, the foundation plans to sharpen its strategy to affect the market positively and stimulate the desire to read further. The ultimate aim is to encourage Dutch individuals to visit their favorite bookstores or libraries at least once a year for a book, ensuring that the joy of reading continues to thrive in the years to come.
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