Statistical presentation
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Science, Technology and Culture, Business Statistics.Christian Törnfelt
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Book sales is a quarterly compilation of the number of physical books, e-books and audiobooks sold through physical bookstores (including the largest supermarket chains) and online sales channels. Sales of used books (e.g. from second-hand bookstores, thrift stores, and flea markets) are not included. The statistics are categorized by genre, format/media, publication language, original language and binding type. The data is published in the newsletter Nyt fra Danmarks Statistik (in Danish only) and in Statbank Denmark. Data sources and coverage are still under development, and the figures are therefore preliminary. Future revisions may occur.
Data description
The statistics illustrate the development of book sales in Denmark by genre, format/media, publication language, original language and binding type. A sale corresponds to a single copy of a book with a 13-digit ISBN starting with 978 or 979, sold through physical bookstores and online sales channels. For example, if 10 copies of a book are sold in one transaction, this counts as 10 sold books. Each book corresponds to a unique edition. Typically, the same title has a separate ISBN for each edition, where the physical edition has a different ISBN than the e-book or audiobook editions. Additionally, a second edition of a given title may have a different ISBN than the first.
Currently, the statistics do not include sales via streaming services, meaning books accessed through subscription-based platforms. This includes, for instance, 30-day subscription plans that allow unlimited reading or listening to books via a digital platform during the subscription period.
The statistics will be continuously expanded with additional sources and content. Efforts are underway to establish a robust data foundation on book streaming, aiming to cover all forms of book sales in the market.
Classification system
The genre classification in these statistics is based on Thema codes, which are part of the international classification system: THEMA, used by the commercial book industry.
Main Genres
- Non-fiction
- Fiction
- Children's and Young Adult Literature
- Not Specified
Subgenres for Non-fiction
- Biographies, True Stories, and Non-Fiction Prose
- History
- Art and Culture
- Food and Drink
- Nature, Environment, and Geoscience
- Personal Development, Relationships, and Health
- Travel Guides
- Religion, Spirituality, and Philosophy
- Society, Social Sciences, and Debate
- Economics & Business
- Hobbies and Lifestyle: Miscellaneous
- Other Non-fiction
Subgenres for Fiction
- Poetry
- Graphic Novels
- Historical Novels
- Crime, Thrillers, and Suspense Novels
- Romance and Erotica
- Science Fiction, Fantasy, etc.
- Other Fiction
Subgenres for Children's and Young Adult Literature
- Books for Toddlers, Picture Books, Activity Books, etc.
- Non-fiction for Children and Young Adults
- Fiction for Children and Young Adults
- Educational Material for Children and Young Adults
- Miscellaneous for Children and Young Adults
The statistics also include information about media/format, publication language, original language, and binding type.
Media/Format
- Physical Books
- E-Books
- Audiobooks
Published language
- Danish
- English
- Swedish
- Norwegian
- German
- French
- Other or Multiple Languages
Original Language
- Danish
- English
- Swedish
- Norwegian
- German
- French
- Other or Multiple Languages
- Not Specified
Binding
- Hardcover or Paperback (Bound)
- Paperback and Pocket Books
- Other physical Formats (for example, cardboard books, spiral-bound books, occasion albums, etc.)
- Unknown physical formats
- Digital Format
Sector coverage
Culture.
Statistical concepts and definitions
ISBN: Stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a 13-digit identifier for a book, an edition of a book or another monographic publication by a particular publisher. Before January 1, 2007, ISBNs consisted of 10 digits.
Statistical unit
Unit sales measured in the number of books sold.
Statistical population
The population consists of books sold by booksellers, either in physical stores or through online sales.
Reference area
Denmark
Time coverage
These statistics cover the time period from third quarter of 2022 onwards.
Base period
Not relevant for these statistics.
Unit of measure
Number of books sold.
Reference period
Quarter.
Frequency of dissemination
Yearly.
Legal acts and other agreements
There is no EU regulation for statistics on book production.
Cost and burden
These statistics are based on administrative data. There is thus no direct response burden in relation to the compilation of these statistics.
Comment
Further information can be obtained by contacting Statistics Denmark directly.