During the year 2024, the preference for printed books has gained ground in the realm of online reading purchases among residents of the European Union. A recent study reveals that 14.7% of European citizens bought printed books, magazines, or newspapers in the three months prior to the survey, a figure that contrasts significantly with the 6.8% who opted to download e-books or audiobooks.
The data indicated show significant variations in the purchase of printed formats among different countries in the continent. Ireland stands out as the leading country, where a notable 28.3% of its residents purchased printed publications. The Netherlands follows with 23.5% and Luxembourg, which reached 22.7%. Conversely, the figures are considerably lower in Cyprus (2.0%), Latvia (3.8%), and Romania (5.3%).
Regarding the purchase of e-books and audiobooks, Ireland stands out again, as 22.3% of the population opted for these digital formats. Denmark and Luxembourg also reported significant figures with 19.7% and 13.3% respectively. On the other hand, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Romania showed the lowest proportions of buyers of digital content, with 1.8%, 2.5%, and 2.6%.
An interesting fact is that in three EU countries, specifically Denmark, Cyprus, and Finland, the acquisition of e-books and audiobooks has surpassed that of printed books. This phenomenon suggests a possible growing trend towards digital reading that could become more prominent in the near future.
The publication of this report aligns with the celebration of World Book and Copyright Day, an event that highlights the importance of reading and the variety of formats in which literature can be enjoyed today.
via: MiMub in Spanish
