This year, the production of books in Ukraine increased by 73% in terms of the number of editions and by 203% in print runs compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Culture, citing data from the Book Chamber.
Key Facts
- In one year, 302 entities in the publishing industry were added to the State Register of Publishers, Manufacturers, and Distributors of Publishing Products, of which 270 were new, and 32 reissued certificates.
- Compared to previous periods, in the pre-war year 2021, 293 entities in the publishing industry were added to the State Register, while in 2022, there were 152 entities.
- This year, five certificates were canceled due to the cessation of publishers’ activities. In the 23 years of maintaining the State Register, a total of 1216 certificates have been canceled.
Context
According to a survey commissioned by the Ukrainian Book Institute in 2023, 17% of respondents read books every day, which is twice as much as in 2020. At the same time, 62% of those surveyed did not purchase any books in the past year.
Ukrainians prefer contemporary novels, science fiction and fantasy, books on psychology, and self-development, according to an October study by Info Sapiens commissioned by the Ukrainian Book Institute. However, among the authors read, foreign writers were more frequently mentioned, especially Stephen King.
Print runs of Ukrainian fiction have exceeded the usual 1500–3000 copies. The share of books by Ukrainian authors in publishing houses is steadily increasing, as is the income from their sales.
