For this iteration, the study presented for the first time a performance breakdown by category:

• Adult nonfiction;
• Educational; 
• Adult Fiction;
• Religious; and
• Children’s and Young Adult.

While modest, 2024’s increase marks an important reversal after a prolonged downturn: since 2006, the Brazilian publishing market had experienced a 43-percFent drop in revenue.

That move brings Brazil closer to data practices seen in more mature markets.

Nielsen economist Mariana Bueno, who leads the study, says, “It’s worth remembering that in markets like the United  States and across Europe, sales data is deeply valued.”

“This is essential, to understand where we are and where we need to go,” says book chamber president Sevani Matos. “We remain firmly committed to the value of data.”

Bookstore Channels Grew 27.1 Percent to 29.3 Percent

In 2024, Brazilian publishers recorded growth of 3.7 percent in market sales, reaching a total revenue of 4.2 billion real (US$733 million). Including government purchases, 361 million copies were produced, generating 6.6 billion real (USD $1.24 billion) in total revenue.

Digital content, including ebooks and audiobooks, showed growth of 21.6 percent, and now accounts for nine percent of publishers’ total revenue, this contributed to a real growth of 0.2 percent for the industry in 2024. While modest, this increase marks an important reversal after a prolonged downturn: since 2006, the Brazilian publishing market had experienced a 43-percent drop in revenue.

Brazil is home to one of the world’s largest public government book-purchasing programs, the PNLD, or National Textbook Program, which ensures that public schools receive books and educational materials free of charge. In 2024, the government purchased materials for early childhood and elementary education, and also made delayed payments from previous years.

Nielsen’s Bueno says, “The difference comes down to the purchasing cycle and the payments made this year, which were within expectations.”

In the general trade segment, market sales grew 4.2 percent, largely because of price recovery. As with the religious segment, general trade has more flexibility to adjust prices, which is counter to the scientific, technical, and professional (STP) segment.

Another key highlight: the share of physical bookstores among sales channels increased from 27.1 percent to 29.3 percent in revenue, while purely online booksellers saw a slight decline.

Religious books and devotional titles continue to climb Brazil’s bestseller lists. In the study, the segment showed real market growth of 4.2 percent.

Audible’s Market Presence Credited With Advances

Another view of the Livraria da Travessa in Niterói, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Image: Travessa

The digital content segment—ebooks and audiobooks–grew 21.6 percent in nominal terms in 2024, reaching 412.5 million real (US$71.9 million). Adjusted for inflation, that represents a real increase of 16 percent, with digital libraries as a key driver, particularly in the STP segment.

Since its inclusion in the study six years ago, digital content has shown consistent growth. Brazil’s digital catalogue comprises 135,000 titles, of which only 11 percent were new releases in 2024. Ebooks still dominate, making up 91 percent of the total, while audiobooks represent 6 percent.

“It’s important to note that in 2023, a major new player entered the audio market,” says Bueno, referring to Audible. “We’re starting to see the effects of that now in the 2024 data.”

Some 15,000 new digital titles were released, with a 4-percentage-point increase in audiobook releases compared to those in 2023. Fiction accounted for 53 percent of that growth—said to be another sign of Audible’s growing impact in Brazil.

Sales of à la carte units reached 171 million real (US$ 32 million), with ebooks making up 97 percent of this total. Compared to 2023, the segment grew by 5.5 percent.

In terms of subscription models—which grew by 64 percent in 2024—audiobooks represented 39 percent of subscription revenue—once again, reflecting what is assessed to be Audible’s expansion in the country.

More from Publishing Perspectives on industry statistics is here; more on bookselling is here; more on digital publishing is here; and more on the Brazilian book industry is here.