Dutch book sales drop by 2 million in 2025; English titles tick up, audiobooks soar
In the Netherlands, book sales fell sharply in 2025, with 44 million books sold nationwide, the lowest total in several years and a decline of 2 million compared with the previous year, according to new figures released by the Stichting Collectieve Propaganda van het Nederlandse Boek. The foundation described the figures as “concerning” but said it hopes the decline is “a one-time dip.” The drop comes as growth in English-language fiction weakens, while audiobooks, e-books, and subscription services continue to expand.
The 44 million books generated 637 million euros in revenue. The figures cover physical books, e-books, and audiobooks in all languages. Study and academic books are excluded, as is subscription service revenue.
Physical bookstores were hit hardest. Sales in brick-and-mortar shops fell 4 percent compared with 2024, with declines recorded across every genre. Still, physical stores accounted for 54 percent of all book purchases, down 2 percentage points from a year earlier. Sales through online booksellers such as Bol.com remained roughly stable. Convenience-oriented chains such as Bruna and Primera were an exception, recording book revenue 4 percent higher.
Nonfiction experienced the largest drop, while Dutch-language fiction also declined. The growth of non-Dutch-language fiction, mostly English-language titles that helped drive overall sales in recent years, significantly slowed. Non-Dutch-language books made up 22 percent of total sales in 2025, up 1 percentage point from the year before. Of those titles, 72 percent were purchased online.
Digital reading and listening grew strongly. The Centraal Boekhuis reported that revenue from subscription services for e-books and audiobooks rose 36 percent, which the CPNB estimates accounts for about 60 percent of total e-book and audiobook revenue.
Libraries also reported increased use: the online Bibliotheek recorded 5 percent more loans than in 2024, with nearly 6 million e-books and 2.9 million audiobooks borrowed, according to the KB, the national library.
The CPNB also revised earlier figures for 2024. After recalculating data and expanding the number of surveyed retailers, it said book sales that year totaled 46 million, not the previously reported 43 million, making 2024 a peak year.
