Romanian Book Market Paradox: Declining Readership, Rising Sales
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By Anya Schmidt | BUCHAREST – 2025/06/14 07:02:32
Despite a perceived stable growth, the Romanian book market faces a concerning reality: Romanians are reading less, yet bookstores are selling more.
The Unpleasant Reality behind Book Market Growth
While publishers and bookstores in Romania have seen a 76% increase in turnover between 2008 and 2023, this growth is overshadowed by a 100% inflation rate during the same period. this paints a less optimistic picture of the industry’s actual performance.
“Romanians are the last place in Europe in terms of book consumption.”
Non-Book Sales Drive Turnover
The apparent high turnover isn’t primarily due to book sales. A significant portion of the profits for publishers and bookstores comes from selling non-book products like stationery, gifts, games, and toys. This reliance on ancillary items masks the struggles within the book market itself.
Furthermore, of the approximately 50 lei (the Romanian currency) that a book might sell for, only about 25% makes its way back to the publishing house, highlighting the financial challenges faced by publishers.
Romanians Lag in European Book Consumption
A recent study reveals that “Romanians are the last place in Europe in terms of book consumption.” Only 27% of Romanians have read a book in the past year, while 42% have not read any books at all. A mere 14.5% reported reading a book in the last month.
