Asia-Pacific publishing market hits $420B as print books and manga thrive

The Asia-Pacific region remains the world’s largest and fastest-growing publishing market. In 2024, its estimated revenues reached between $400 billion and $420 billion. Print books still dominate, accounting for roughly 60% of all sales in the area. China and India, with populations exceeding 1.4 billion each, are key drivers of this expansion. India now ranks as the second-largest English-language publishing market globally, fuelled by high demand for educational books. Meanwhile, China’s overall reading rate climbed to 82.1% in 2024, up from just 51.7% two decades earlier. Works like Liu Cixin’s Three-Body Problem trilogy and Mo Yan’s novels have boosted the country’s literary reputation.

Japan’s publishing sector also thrives, particularly in manga. Sales of manga-related products hit ¥54.3 billion (around $372 million) in 2024. Popular series like *Demon Slayer* have even turned locations such as Fukuoka’s Homangu Kamado Shrine into tourist attractions. Beyond these established markets, countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are seeing rapid growth in their publishing industries. The region blends mature markets such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea with emerging economies. This mix of tradition and expansion keeps the Asia-Pacific publishing scene dynamic and diverse.

The Asia-Pacific publishing market continues to grow, supported by strong print sales and rising literacy rates. Manga, educational books, and literary works all play a role in its success. With both established and emerging markets contributing, the region’s dominance looks set to continue.