The results of the latest “Survey on Books,” conducted by IMAS International on behalf of the National Debt Register and Reliable Company, suggest that reading in Poland is doing well. Over 82% of Poles claim to read books, with half of these purchasing physical copies, e-books, or audiobooks. Crime and thriller novels, along with romance literature, are the most popular genres. However, the good news ends when we look at the situation for brick-and-mortar bookstores. According to the NRD data, their debt at the end of October reached PLN 8,795 million ($2,235,645).
The latest research suggests that complaints about the state of reading in Poland are increasingly unjustified. Over 8 in 10 Poles declare that they read books. Furthermore, National Library statistics show that in 2023 at least one book was read by 43% of Poles, an increase of 9 percentage points compared to the previous year and the highest in a decade.
Although we are reading more, physical bookstore’s situation is not improving and their numbers are decreasing. According to a report by the Book Institute, in 2019 there were 1910 such points in the country, but by 2023 there were only 1704, marking the closure of over 200 venues within four years. Debt is also a significant problem. At the end of October, 141 physical bookstores had 2907 outstanding financial obligations, averaging PLN 62.4 thousand ($15943.41) each. Their total debts amounted to PLN 8,795 million.
The research by NRD and Reliable Company shows that most of us choose chain stores when purchasing books, as indicated by nearly 42% of respondents. Auction portals where one third of respondents shop comes second, followed by cheap book points and online bookstores (respectively 29% and 28%). Supermarkets are chosen by 19% of respondents, and independent stationary bookstores by just under 17% of Poles.
In 2023, Poles spent nearly PLN 4.5 billion ($1,140,982,000) on books, around 1 billion euros, according to the Book Institute report. Meanwhile, the total turnover of the book market in Europe is between 37-40 billion euros. This means that Poland’s share is only about 3% of this part of the European market.
From the NRD and Reliable Company’s research, it is understood that most of us (30%) spend annually between PLN 100 to 200 ($25.44 to $50.88) in various bookstores. One quarter spend less than PLN 100, and one fifth spend between PLN 200 to 500 ($50.88 to $127.19). Over 7% of Poles spend between PLN 500 to 1000 ($127.19 to $254.38) on reading material during the year, and 2% spend more than PLN 1000. Only 16% claim not to spend any money on books at all.
Only 18% of Poles surveyed by NRD and the Reliable Company admitted that they do not read books at all. Women make up 10% of this group, and men 25%. The rest (82%) declared they spend time reading. Over half specifically make purchases of chosen titles, both in paper form and as e-books or audiobooks. 44% use the library, 37% receive books as gifts and one third looks for second-hand copies. A third exchanges books with family and over 17% subscribe to services with e-books and audiobooks.
The methodology: The survey was commissioned by the National Debt Register and Reliable Company and carried out by IMAS International as part of the representative Omnibus Online project – on a representative sample of Poles aged 18-74 years, using internet-based interviews (CAWI). The survey was conducted between September 14-28, 2024.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/polacy-czytaja-ale-ksiegarnie-tona-w-dlugach-86169
