Colombia's printed book market grew 6% in units in 2025, well above the nearly flat global average, according to a NielsenIQ BookData report unveiled at Filbo. The international landscape shows stability, with Colombia ranking among top performers alongside India and Brazil. Experts point to growth potential with rising incomes and greater reading awareness.
The NielsenIQ BookData report, presented at the Bogotá International Book Fair (Filbo), shows the global printed book market sold 1.5 billion units worth US$15.4 billion in 2025, with an average growth of just +0.05% in units from 2024.
Colombia stood out with +6% in units, trailing India (+19%), Brazil (+11%), New Zealand (+10%), and Portugal (+7%). In value, 11 of 18 markets grew. David Peman, Latam manager at Nielsen BookScan, stated: “In Colombia, the market had a positive performance in 2025, with 6% growth in units [...] The physical book is not going to disappear”.
Spanish-language markets (Chile, Colombia, Spain, and Mexico) totaled 117.1 million units and US$2 billion, up +1% in units and +6% in value, exceeding the global average. Spain accounts for 65% of sales, followed by Mexico with strong post-covid recovery (+20% units since 2022).
Emiro Aristizábal, president of the Colombian Book Chamber, noted: “The figures show we have much room to grow, to the extent that income rises and there is also more reading awareness in the population”. In Latin America, non-fiction dominates consumption, unlike in Europe.
