Countries That Read the Most Books in 2024

CEOWorld Magazine surveyed book readers in 102 countries in 2024. The results showed that the United States had the highest average number of books read per year, with readers consuming 17 books annually, spending an average of 357 hours reading in 2024.

India came in second, with a slightly lower average of 16 books per year and 352 hours spent reading.

"Both Americans and Indians continue to prefer print books over e-books or audiobooks, despite the growing trend towards electronic media," CEOWorld Magazine wrote on its website, as quoted on Monday (June 30, 2025).

The United Kingdom ranked third, with an average of 15 books per year and 343 hours spent reading. France followed in fourth place with 14 books and 305 hours, followed by Italy with 13 books and 278 hours.

Canada, Russia, Australia, Spain, and the Netherlands rounded out the top ten.

Indonesia was not in the top ten, ranking 31st with an average of 5.9 books per year and 129 hours spent reading.

CEOWorld Magazine also revealed that the global book market reached US$144.67 billion in 2023. It is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8% from 2024 to 2030.

Here are the top 10 countries with the highest average number of books read per year in 2024:

• United States: 17 books/year
• India: 16 books/year
• United Kingdom: 15 books/year
• France: 14 books/year
• Italy: 13 books/year
• Canada: 12 books/year
• Russia: 11 books/year
• Australia: 10 books/year
• Spain: 9 books/year
• Netherlands: 8 books/year

(Read: Distribution of Literary Communities in Indonesia, June 2025)