The audiobook industry continues to reach new heights, with audiobook revenue increasing 13% in 2024 from 2023, according to the latest Audio Publishers Association report conducted by Toluna with Edison Research.
The annual APA sales survey turned to 1,700 adults, audiobook consumers and beyond, to track the latest in audiobook growth and gather industry sales data. And we at Libro.fm are experiencing this boom firsthand; This February we saw a 275% increase in new members compared to last February! As the interests and habits of audiobook listeners continue to evolve, we are proud to partner with 3,000+ independent bookshops across the globe to bring you over 500,000 audiobooks to choose from. You can be certain that your next great audiobook awaits you on Libro.fm, but in the meantime, let’s take a closer look at trends in the industry.
The global audiobook market – a snapshot
If you’re an avid audiobook lover, it might come as no surprise that the market for audiobooks continues to grow. So many more readers are falling in love with audiobooks, and bringing them into their everyday lives. With current momentum, the market is expected to grow by 25.7 % from 2022 to 2032!
In the U.S. alone, audiobook sales have increased by 50% in the last five years. In fact, the market shows no signs of slowing, as industry sales data projects audiobook revenue will hit $11 billion in 2026, and $35 billion in 2030. Additionally, by 2030, audiobook sales are expected to account for 21% of the global publishing sales revenue, a 12% increase from 2021.
Libro.fm began as a conversation about the growing popularity of audiobooks and how indies were unable to tap into the market at the time. But now, bookshops across the globe are able to recommend and sell audiobooks, just as they would with print copies. And with their small (if any) profit margins, additional income can make a huge difference.
Speaking of bookshops across the globe…audiobooks are not just thriving in the American media landscape, but everywhere. In 2020, 569 million Chinese citizens listened to audiobooks, doubling their 2016 numbers, and the European market has also seen double digit growth (with readers in Germany accounting for ⅓ of the European market’s current audiobook consumers).
Trends
AI is making its way into the publishing industry, including audiobook production.
Although the consumption of artificially narrated audio content has increased, the desire to try them has decreased from 77% in 2023 to 70% in 2025. (Here at Libro.fm, we will never knowingly prioritize, publicize, nor market AI-narrated or generated audiobooks. Read our full statement to learn more.)
Overall, general fiction accounts for the largest revenue over other genres.
The romance genre in particular saw the most year-to-year increase at 30% in 2024 over the prior year, enjoyed by some of the most avid audiobook listeners. Our bookselling partners love recommending romance novels, such as Kennedy Ryan’s Can’t Get Enough. You can find all their recommendations and more on our list of bestselling romance audiobooks.
Children’s and YA saw 26% growth in 2024, and Science Fiction/Fantasy saw 21% growth.
Nonfiction is also growing steadily, with history, biography, and memoir being the fastest growing categories. Our bookselling partners have great recommendations for those looking to get more into nonfiction, such as Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green.
Additional audiobook listening habits
+100%
Over the last 10 years, the share of US adults who listen to audiobooks has grown by more than 100%.
13.6%
Women are 13.6% more likely to listen to audiobooks than men.
57%
57% of younger Americans (50 years old and under) are more likely to consume audio format.
+26%
Over 26% of African American adults listened to an audiobook in the last year, the highest number, relative to their population.
There is no indication that the audiobook market will be slowing down anytime soon.
As the audiobook industry continues to grow, we plan to grow with it, but our mission will stay the same: encouraging people to read, while supporting local, independent bookshops.