Middle East & Africa Books Market Size & Outlook

The books market in Middle East & Africa is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 15.8 billion by 2030. A compound annual growth rate of 2.7% is expected of Middle East & Africa books market from 2025 to 2030.
Revenue, 2024 (US$B)
$13.4
Forecast, 2030 (US$B)
$15.8
CAGR, 2025 - 2030
2.7%
Report Coverage
Middle East & Africa

MEA books market highlights

  • The MEA books market generated a revenue of USD 13.4 billion in 2024.
  • The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% from 2025 to 2030.
  • In terms of segment, mystery was the largest revenue generating type in 2024.
  • Mystery is the most lucrative type segment registering the fastest growth during the forecast period.
  • Country-wise, South Africa is expected to register the highest CAGR from 2025 to 2030.

MEA data book summary

Market revenue in 2024USD 13.4 billion
Market revenue in 2030USD 15.8 billion
Growth rate2.7% (CAGR from 2025 to 2030)
Largest segmentMystery
Fastest growing segmentMystery
Historical data covered2018 - 2023
Base year for estimation2024
Forecast period covered2025 - 2030
Quantitative unitsRevenue in USD billion
Market segmentationScience, Historical, Mystery, Fantasy, Literary, Contemporary /Realistic, Romance, Educational, Comic, Others (classics, biographies)
Key market players worldwideNews Corp Class A, Paramount Global Class A, Pearson PLC, Scholastic Corp, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Marvel Entertainment, Morris Publishing Group, IDW Publishing, Hachette Book Group

Other key industry trends

  • In terms of revenue, MEA region accounted for 8.9% of the global books market in 2024.
  • Globally, North America is projected to lead the regional market in terms of revenue in 2030.
  • Asia Pacific is the fastest growing regional market and is projected to reach USD 58.7 billion by 2030.

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Books Market Companies

Name Profile # Employees HQ Website

Middle East & Africa books market outlook

The databook is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide to navigating this sector. The databook focuses on market statistics denoted in the form of revenue and y-o-y growth and CAGR across the globe and regions. A detailed competitive and opportunity analyses related to books market will help companies and investors design strategic landscapes.


Mystery was the largest segment with a revenue share of 18.66% in 2024. Horizon Databook has segmented the Middle East & Africa books market based on science, historical, mystery, fantasy, literary, contemporary /realistic, romance, educational, comic, others (classics, biographies) covering the revenue growth of each sub-segment from 2018 to 2030.


According to the Arab Reading Index in 2016, an Arab citizen reads around 17 books and 35 hours per year on average. The results of the survey stated that an Arab reader reads, on average, 11 Arabic books and 6 foreign-language ones every year, be it within schools and universities or outside.

Similarly, the index stated that 35 hours of reading spent by the average Arab reader are divided into 20 hours in academic institutions and 15 hours outside of them.

Moreover, 16 hours are spent reading print material and 19 are spent on electronic platforms. In relation to Northeast Africa, Egypt led the pack with 89% share (64 hours and 27 books per individual per year). This is expected to propel the growth of online segment in the region.

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Target buyers of Middle East & Africa books market databook

  • Our clientele includes a mix of books market companies, investment firms, advisory firms & academic institutions.
  • 30% of our revenue is generated working with investment firms and helping them identify viable opportunity areas.
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Horizon Databook provides a detailed overview of continent-level data and insights on the Middle East & Africa books market , including forecasts for subscribers. This continent databook contains high-level insights into Middle East & Africa books market from 2018 to 2030, including revenue numbers, major trends, and company profiles.

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MEA books market size, by country, 2018-2030 (US$B)

Middle East & Africa Books Market Outlook Share, 2024 & 2030 (US$B)

MEA books market size, by country, 2018-2030 (US$B)

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