AUDIOBOOKS MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2025-2032)

Audiobooks Market Size and Trends - 2025 to 2032

The Global Audiobooks Market is estimated to be valued at USD 10.88 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 56.09 Bn by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.4% from 2025 to 2032.

Key Takeaways

• Based on Genre, the Fictional segment is expected to dominate the global market with a market share of 64.3% in 2025, due to immense popularity and versatility of fictional stories.
• Based on Preferred Device, the Smartphones segment is expected to hold 43.8% share of the market in 2025, driven by their abundant use and convenience.
• Based on Target Audience, the adults segment is projected to account for 76.4% share in 2025, due to busy work lifestyle.
• Based on Region, North America is anticipated to lead the audiobooks market with a share of 43.7% in 2025. While, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing region with a share of 26.4% in 2025. 

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Market Overview

Over the past decade, the industry has grown significantly due to the growing number of professionals, students, and avid book readers who are using audiobooks. Listeners can now easily watch or download audio versions owing to the growing use of smartphones and reliable internet connectivity.

The audiobook market is accelerating toward user-friendly digital platforms with personalized features. This is because publishers and apps are adding AI-powered recommendations, speed controls and multi-language options. Subscription plans and audio podcast-audiobook blends are outpacing traditional print formats while helping save money, add convenience and track listening habits. 5G networks and smart devices support this shift, which will fuel steady growth in users and revenue through the forecast period of 2025-2032.

Current Events and Its Impacts on the Audiobooks Market

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Role Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Audiobooks Market

AI is shifting the audiobooks market by making it possible to automate, use predictive analytics, and enhance user engagement. AI-powered tools make it easier to synthesize narration, curate content, and personalize recommendations, which cuts down on the need for people to do things by hand and lowers operational costs. Real-time information makes it easier to manage discovery and optimize consumption. Platforms can deliver high-volume audiobooks more efficiently, accurately, and immersively by using AI. This is going to enhance creator partnerships and encourage adoption by large and small publishers around the world.

For instance, in May 2025, Amazon.com Inc.’s Audible teamed up with U.S. publishers to convert print and e-books into AI-narrated audiobooks. This uses cutting-edge AI voices and translation tools to rapidly expand the catalog. It targets non-English speaking markets with the aim to make more stories accessible worldwide while also cutting production costs and time.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape 

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Segmental Insights 

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Audiobooks Market Insights By Genre- Wide Appeal Drives Preference for Fiction Audiobooks

In terms of genre, the fiction segment contributes the highest share of 64.3% in 2025 owing to its wide appeal and versatility of fictional stories. Listeners enjoy exploring stories from well-known authors in genres like mystery, thriller, fantasy, science fiction, romance, and comics. Popular fictional book series converted into audiobook formats draw a huge fan following that include listeners of all age groups. Fictional narratives also provide essential escapism from routine life through imaginative tales that allow listeners to explore new environments and situations.

For instance, in November 2025, Audible dropped the audiobook for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Factor in cutting-edge spatial audio and it is a new kind of Harry Potter experience. This will attract audiobook fans who enjoy single narrator versions and love these stories. It will also draw in people in who are not traditional audiobook listeners, or the ones who prefer film or TV.

Audiobooks Market Insights By, Preferred Device - Ease of Use Fuels Smartphones Usage

In terms of preferred device, the smartphones are projected to dominate the market, capturing 43.8% share due to their everyday portability and ease of use. As a compact and ‘always with you’ gadget, they let listeners consume the stories whenever and wherever suits them best. Budget-friendly smartphone models with long battery life and storage space make large audiobook collection instantly accessible during travel. Some dedicated smartphone apps deliver seamless streaming, downloads, and personalization options like adjusting narration speeds.

According to a BookNet Canada industry survey, readers are using smartphones for audiobooks more than ever in 2-21 with usage jumping from 42% from 28% the previous year. This indicates a surge in the number of users preferring smartphones for audiobooks.

Audiobooks Market Insights By, Target Audience – Busy Work Lifestyle Increases the Consumption Among Adults

In terms of target audience, the adults segment is expected to contribute the highest share of 76.4% in 2025 primarily due to their busy work schedules that limit time for traditional reading. Adults favor audiobooks for multitasking during commutes, household chores, and workouts. This format offers working professionals easy way to enjoy current fiction and non-fiction bestsellers or acquire new knowledge despite their busy schedule. Adjusting playback speeds suit the users’ timelines while smartphone downloads allows for smooth access in busy routines.

Regional Insights 

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North America Audiobooks Market Analysis & Trends

North America is expected to be the largest market with a 43.7% share in 2025. The region performs well in this market because individuals have high disposable incomes and prefer spending on audiobooks. They use smartphones and tablets for listening the content. The government of the region also supports digital content and leading publishers like Audible and Penguin Random House Audio are based here. This has helped the market grow over the years and build a strong customer base.

For instance, in April 2023, TuneIn, the top live-streaming audio provider in the world, added their audiobook library to all users who have premium account, giving them access to thousands of popular book titles. The addition of this very popular audio format works well with TuneIn’s preexisting collection of spoken-word content in Podcasts and Talk Radio shows.

Asia Pacific Audiobooks Market Analysis & Trends

The Asia Pacific region is expected to hold a 26.4% share in 2025 and is growing the fastest among other regions. This growth come from the rising income levels, increasing smartphone ownership, better internet access and growing interest in audio entertainment among younger digital users. The creation of local language content is also helping the market grow at a fast pace. International audiobook services are also entering these markets bringing global titles to local audiences and creating new listening habits across the region.

For instance, in March 2025, Rakuten Kobo, a major digital reading retailer and publisher launched Kobo Plus in Malaysia, which is an all-you-can-read subscription that gives book lovers unlimited access to more than 2 million eBooks and over 300,000 audiobooks starting for a low monthly fee. This move into the Malaysian market helps Kobo reach new opportunities across Asia and serve a younger generation of readers.

Market Report Scope 

Audiobooks Market Drivers

Growing audiobook use in smartphone

As smartphone use continues to grow around the world, more and more users are now prefer consuming the content on these devices. Audiobooks have become one of the most popular formats for the content on smartphones as they allow users to listen to books while they are traveling, exercising or doing other tasks. With better processing power and longer battery life in new smartphones, the audiobook listening has become smooth and easy.

Many top audiobook providers like Audible and Spotify have made their services work better for smartphone listening. They allow users to download audiobook chapters and listen offline without any breaks or problems. Some audiobook subscription services even give access to their entire library on smartphones. The audiobook apps on app stores have made it easier to find and buy new titles. It also allows listeners to look through different types of books, get suggestions, and start listening within minutes. With long travel time in many big cities’ smartphones have become easiest way to enjoy audiobooks while on the go.

Audiobooks Market Opportunities

Using AI to narrate audiobooks

A key opportunity for audiobooks market is the use of artificial intelligence for narration. AI companies are building a lot of different tools that can turn written words into voices that sound like actual people. If audiobook publishers utilize these AI narration tools, they may save a lot of money on production costs because they would not need to hire voice actors. AI voices that sound like specific artists could also create an excitement among fans and niche audiences. As AI technology gets better, using it to make audiobooks would open up new markets for the industry to expand.

For example, in August 2025, Spoken, a Portland-based company, has planned to make its AI-powered, multi-voice audiobook authoring platform. The company’s introduction to the market gives people cost-effective method to make immersive, multi-voice audiobooks using technology that has been trained to create real, flowing narration without the false tone of typical text-to-speech.

Analyst Opinion (Expert Opinion)

The audiobooks market is evolving into a structurally important segment of digital publishing, supported by sustained growth in listener adoption and monetization of long-form audio. Industry estimates indicate the market has reached multi-billion scale globally, driven primarily by subscription-based and app-driven digital consumption. Digital formats account for nearly all audiobook revenues, highlighting the complete shift away from physical media and reinforcing the scalability of the format.

Publisher-reported data shows audiobook revenues continue to grow at double-digit rates annually, outperforming print and e-book segments in several mature markets. Listening time per user has increased steadily, supported by mobile-first consumption patterns and growing integration of audiobooks into daily routines such as commuting, fitness, and household activities. English-language markets remain the largest contributors, while non-English and regional language catalogs are expanding rapidly due to improved localization and narration availability.

Platform dynamics are reshaping competition. Music streaming services, dedicated audiobook platforms, and large digital retailers are integrating audiobooks into bundled offerings, improving discoverability and lowering entry barriers for consumers. At the same time, advances in production technologies, including AI-assisted narration and streamlined editing tools, are reducing production costs and enabling faster catalog expansion.

However, pricing pressure from bundled subscriptions, royalty negotiations between platforms and publishers, and rising competition for listener attention present ongoing challenges. Overall, the market outlook remains positive, supported by strong engagement metrics, expanding global reach, and continued innovation in content formats and distribution models.

Audiobooks Industry News

• In October 2025, Spotify Audiobooks has released its first independent author audiobook through the Spotify Audiobook Selects program. This program plays an important role in uplifting new voices and giving more creators the chance to make a living from their art.
• In September 2025, Spotify teamed up with TikTok to create Big on BookTok, a dedicated page featuring audiobook selections inspired by viral book suggestions from the social media platform. BookTok has produced over 62 million videos about books and turned numerous titles into bestsellers.
• In December 2024, PodToo, a top name in audio distribution, formed an alliance with Kobo Books, a leading provider of digital reading services. This will let audiobook publishers working with PodToo to distribute their content directly on Kobo Books, opening new growth prospects for creators to connect with listeners all over the world.
• In December 2024, Regal and Audible, an Amazon owned company, joined forces for their first collaborative effort to merge movies and audiobooks together for their customer bases. The two companies are working to attract audiobook fans to watch book-based movies in cinemas and promote listening to audiobooks.

Market Segmentation

• Genre Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2025 - 2032)
  • Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Smartphones
  • Laptops & Tablets
  • Personal Digital Assistants and Others
• Preferred Device Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2025 - 2032)
  • Smartphones
  • Laptops & Tablets
  • Personal Digital Assistants and Others
• Target Audience Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2025 - 2032)
  • Adults
  • Kids
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2025 - 2032)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Amazon.com, Inc.
  • Apple Inc.
  • Audible, Inc.
  • Google LLC
  • Rakuten Group, Inc.
  • Storytel AB
  • Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc.
  • Downpour
  • Playster (Softonic International S.A.)
  • F. Howes Ltd.
  • Kobo
  • Scribd
  • OverDrive, Inc.
  • RBMedia
  • LibriVox

Sources

Primary Research Interviews

• Audiobook Publishers & Content Owners
• Digital Audio Platform Providers & Aggregators
• Narration Studios & Voice Talent Agencies
• Mobile App & Streaming Technology Providers
• Publishing Industry Consultants & IP Licensing Experts
• Others

Databases

• Bloomberg Terminal
• Thomson Reuters Eikon
• Others

Magazines

• Publishers Weekly
• AudioFile Magazine
• Book Business Magazine
• Digital Book World
• Others

Journals

• Journal of Media Economics
• Publishing Research Quarterly
• International Journal of Digital Media Management
• Journal of Cultural Economics
• Others

Newspapers

• Financial Times
• The Wall Street Journal
• The New York Times
• Reuters
• Bloomberg News
• Others

Associations

• Audio Publishers Association (APA)
• International Publishers Association (IPA)
• Federation of European Publishers (FEP)
• Association of American Publishers (AAP)
• Others

Public Domain Sources

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• UNESCO Institute for Statistics
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
• Government Publishing & Copyright Offices
• Others

Proprietary Elements

• CMI Data Analytics Tool
• Proprietary CMI Existing Repository of Information for the Last 8 Years

Definition: The audiobook market covers the creation, distribution, and sale of narrated book content in digital and physical audio formats. This product allows users to listen to books through various devices like smartphones, tablets, and smart speakers. Audiobooks can be accessed through different channels such as streaming platforms, downloadable files, and physical media like CDs.