Global E-Books Market - Forecasts from 2025 to 2030

The Global E-Books Market is expected to grow from USD 21.946 billion in 2025 to USD 27.708 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 4.77%.

Rising Penetration of Mobile Devices and Internet

The widespread adoption of smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, coupled with expanding internet connectivity, is a primary driver of the e-books market. In 2024, global smartphone penetration reached 68%, with over 5.4 billion internet users, according to industry reports. The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China and India, is experiencing rapid growth in mobile device usage, fueled by affordable devices and cheaper internet services. For instance, India's mobile internet penetration grew by 10% in 2024, driven by widespread 5G adoption. E-books, offering the convenience of storage and accessibility on digital devices, are increasingly preferred over printed books, which require physical space and degrade over time. This trend is boosting demand for e-books, especially in regions with high mobile penetration.

Environmental Awareness and Government Initiatives

Growing environmental concerns and government campaigns to reduce paper usage are accelerating e-book adoption. In 2023, initiatives like the European Union's "Green Reading" campaign promoted digital books to minimize deforestation, aligning with global sustainability goals. These efforts encourage consumers to shift from paper-based books to e-books, which replicate the content of printed books (text, images, graphics) in a digital format. This shift is particularly pronounced in developed economies with strong environmental policies, driving market growth.

Impact of Public Health Measures

The lingering effects of public health measures, such as social distancing and library closures, continue to boost e-book demand. In 2023, the closure of physical bookstores and libraries in response to health concerns in several countries prompted a 15% surge in e-book downloads globally. Reading enthusiasts, unable to access physical books, turned to digital platforms, further propelling market growth. This trend is expected to persist in the short term, particularly in regions with ongoing public health restrictions.

Market Segmentation Analysis

By Platform

The e-books market is segmented into smartphones and tablets, PCs and laptops, and e-readers. Smartphones and tablets dominate, holding over 60% of market share in 2024, due to their widespread availability and portability. E-readers, such as Amazon's Kindle, maintain a steady share, particularly among dedicated readers in developed markets.

By Type

The market is divided into consumer e-books and educational e-books. Consumer e-books lead due to their popularity among general readers, driven by fiction and non-fiction titles. The educational e-books segment is the fastest-growing, fueled by the rise of online learning platforms and digital textbooks in schools and universities, particularly in 2024.

Geographical Insights

North America holds a significant market share, accounting for approximately 38% of global e-books revenue in 2024, driven by advanced internet infrastructure and early technology adoption in the U.S. and Canada. The presence of major players like Amazon further strengthens the region's dominance. The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing, propelled by increasing smartphone penetration and internet access in China and India. In 2024, China's e-book market grew by 12%, supported by government initiatives promoting digital education. Europe follows, with steady growth driven by environmental campaigns and digital reading adoption.

Competitive Insights

Key players, including Amazon, HarperCollins Publishers, and Rakuten Kobo Inc., dominate the market due to their strong brand presence and extensive digital platforms. In 2023, Amazon enhanced its Kindle platform with AI-driven reading recommendations, improving user experience. Rakuten Kobo expanded its e-book library in 2024, focusing on educational content for the Asia-Pacific market. Strategic investments in content diversification and user-friendly interfaces are key competitive strategies, ensuring market leadership.

Market Challenges

The preference for printed books among some readers, particularly in underdeveloped regions, hinders e-book adoption. Limited internet access and lack of awareness about digital platforms in these areas further restrict market growth. Additionally, concerns about digital eye strain and the perceived satisfaction of physical books pose challenges to widespread adoption.

Key Benefits of this Report:

• Insightful Analysis: Gain detailed market insights covering major as well as emerging geographical regions, focusing on customer segments, government policies and socio-economic factors, consumer preferences, industry verticals, and other sub-segments.
• Competitive Landscape: Understand the strategic maneuvers employed by key players globally to understand possible market penetration with the correct strategy.
• Market Drivers & Future Trends: Explore the dynamic factors and pivotal market trends and how they will shape future market developments.
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Report Coverage:

• Historical data from 2022 to 2024 & forecast data from 2025 to 2030
• Growth Opportunities, Challenges, Supply Chain Outlook, Regulatory Framework, and Trend Analysis
• Competitive Positioning, Strategies, and Market Share Analysis
• Revenue Growth and Forecast Assessment of segments and regions including countries
• Company Profiling (Strategies, Products, Financial Information, and Key Developments among others.

E-Books Market Segmentation:

By Platform

• Smartphones and Tablets
• PCs and Laptops
• E-readers

By Type

• Consumer E-Books
• Educational E-Books

By Pricing Model

• Free
• Subscription
• One-Time Purchase
• Freemium

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Others