Ukrainian book market: which publications were published the most in 2024
26 March 2025 11:58
The Ukrainian Book Chamber has released official statistics on the number of books published in 2024. According to the data, the largest number of educational and methodological publications was published – 4,415 titles with a total circulation of 22.4 million copies. Despite the significant number, this is still three times less than in 2019, when 24,416 titles were published in Ukraine with a circulation of 61 million copies. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Chitomo.
Dynamics of changes in the publishing industry
Compared to the pre-war period, book circulation has decreased significantly. The main categories of publications in 2024:
- Literary and artistic publications – 3,358 titles (4.5 million copies).
- Books for children and youth – 1,899 titles (4,128.2 thousand copies).
- Scientific publications – 2,399 titles (circulation 454.5 thousand copies).
- Popular science literature – 1,330 titles (circulation of 1.5 million copies).
- Socio-political literature – 125 titles (141.2 thousand copies).
- Religious literature – 262 titles (circulation 471.4 thousand copies).
In general, the number of published copies has dropped significantly compared to 2019. For example, in 2019, socio-political literature had a circulation of 5.4 million copies, while in 2024 it was only 141.2 thousand copies.
Educational books are market leaders
Educational and methodological literature remains the most popular in Ukraine. In 2024, 4,415 titles were published with a print run of 22.4 million copies, which is a significant part of the total print volume. However, compared to 2019 (24,416 titles, 61 million copies), the number of titles fell threefold due to economic challenges caused by the war and the pandemic. Most of the textbooks published were for the 7th grade, including:
- “Algebra (Genesis) – 320 thousand copies.
- “Geometry (Genesis) – 319 thousand copies.
- “Foreign Literature (Akademiia) – 314 thousand copies.
These titles remain in demand due to the education reform and demand in schools.
Fiction and children’s books
In 2024, literary and fiction publications were represented by 3,358 titles with a circulation of 4.5 million copies. Children’s and young adult literature amounted to 1,899 titles (4.1 million copies), which is less than in 2019 (2,390 titles). The popularity of children’s books remains high, but the war has affected the volume of printing.
Scientific and reference books
Scientific books were published in the amount of 2,399 titles (454.5 thousand copies), and popular science books – 1,330 titles (1.5 million copies). Reference publications include 235 titles with a circulation of 86.8 thousand copies, and informational publications – only 7 titles (0.9 thousand). These categories are in less demand due to the specialized audience.
Other categories
- Religious literature: 262 titles, 471.4 thousand copies.
- Social and political literature: 125 titles, 141.2 thousand copies.
- Normative and practical: 194 titles, 131.1 thousand copies.
- Official publications: 147 titles, 22.2 thousand copies.
- Books for leisure: 39 titles, 63.2 thousand copies.
Compared to 2019, when socio-political publications reached 5.4 million copies due to the elections, their popularity decreased in 2024.
Leaders among publishers
Kharkiv-based Stem Osvita became the record holder in 2024, publishing 278 titles with a circulation of 4.9 million copies. The second place went to Genesis (Kyiv) with 170 titles and 3.9 million copies. The third place went to Ranok (Kharkiv) with 241 titles and 2 million copies.
TOP-10 publishers by circulation in 2024
- Stem Education (Kharkiv) – 278 titles, 4,932 thousand copies.
- Genesis (Kyiv) – 170 titles, 3,900 thousand copies.
- Ranok (Kharkiv) – 241 titles, 2,034 thousand copies.
- Vivat (Kharkiv) – 380 titles, 1,619 thousand copies.
- Orion (Kyiv) – 75 titles, 1,545 thousand copies.
- Aston (Ternopil) – 60 titles, 1,545 thousand copies.
- Staryi Lev Publishing House (Lviv) – 479 titles, 1,268 thousand copies.
- Linguist (Kyiv) – 61 titles, 1,205 thousand copies.
- Intellect of Ukraine (Kharkiv) – 134 titles, 1,030 thousand copies.
- Educational book – Bohdan (Ternopil) – 455 titles, 816 thousand copies.
Why did the circulation decrease?
The drop in circulation from 61 million in 2019 to 22.4 million in 2024 is due to the war, the economic crisis, and changing reading habits. Educational titles remain the backbone of the market, but fiction and other categories have lost volume due to a decrease in purchasing power.
