Publishing raises alarm: Record decline in book count

The Publishers Copyright and Licensing Association announced that book production shrank by 12 percent in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year.

YAYBİR published the “May 2025 Bandrol Data” report. According to the report, the number of books in Türkiye, which was 40 million 150 thousand 652 in May 2024, decreased by 31 percent in May 2025, falling to 27 million 792 thousand 853.

The number of books published in the first five months of this year decreased by 12 percent compared to the same period last year, from 161 million 382 thousand 548 to 141 million 953 thousand 230.

While there was a decrease in adult cultural publications, adult fiction literature publications, children's and youth books, educational publications and imported publications, there was an increase in religious publications and academic publications.

FAITH PUBLICATIONS INCREASED

There was an increase in the number of publications in the "academic" and "faith" categories produced in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year, while a decrease was recorded in the number of publications in other categories.

The report included the information, "In January-May 2025, 'adult culture' publications decreased by 33 percent, 'adult fiction literature' publications by 4 percent, 'children and youth books' by 15 percent, 'education' publications by 15 percent, and 'imported publications' by 14 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. On the other hand, 'academic' publications grew by 10 percent compared to the previous year, while 'faith' publications increased by approximately 18 percent."

The number of books produced last month, by category, is as follows:

Adult culture publications: 3 million 612 thousand 324

Adult fiction literature publications: 4 million 59 thousand 413

Children's books: 4 million 219 thousand 981

Youth books: 228,174

Educational publications: 11 million 969 thousand 158

Academic publications: 779 thousand 385

Faith publications: 2 million 654 thousand 461

Imported books: 269 thousand 957

TOTAL: 27 million 792 thousand 853

Source: ANKA