eBooks - Southeast Asia

  • Southeast Asia
  • In Southeast Asia, revenue in the eBooks market is projected to reach US$193.50m in 2024.
  • This revenue is expected to exhibit an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 2.64%, leading to a projected market volume of US$220.40m by 2029.
  • Within the eBooks market in Southeast Asia, the number of readers is anticipated to amount to 66.5m users by 2029.
  • User penetration in this region will be 8.2% in 2024 and is expected to rise to 9.2% by 2029.
  • The average revenue per user (ARPU) in Southeast Asia is expected to reach US$3.43.
  • In a global context, the majority of revenue will be generated the United States, which is projected to achieve US$5,336.00m in 2024.
  • In Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the eBook market is experiencing significant growth driven by increasing smartphone penetration and a rising literacy rate.

Key regions: China, Japan, France, Asia, India

 
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Analyst Opinion

The eBooks market in Southeast Asia has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, driven by changing customer preferences, emerging trends in the market, and local special circumstances.

Customer preferences:
Customers in Southeast Asia are increasingly turning to eBooks as their preferred format for reading. This shift can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the convenience of eBooks allows readers to carry multiple books in a single device, making it easier to access their favorite titles anytime, anywhere. Secondly, the affordability of eBooks compared to physical books is an attractive feature for price-conscious consumers. Lastly, the growing popularity of e-readers and tablets has made it more accessible for people to read eBooks.

Trends in the market:
One of the key trends in the eBooks market in Southeast Asia is the rise of local authors and publishers. As more Southeast Asian writers gain recognition and popularity, there has been a surge in demand for their eBooks. This trend is supported by the increasing availability of digital publishing platforms, which have made it easier for local authors to reach a wider audience. Additionally, the rise of self-publishing has empowered aspiring writers to independently publish their eBooks, further diversifying the content available in the market. Another trend in the market is the growing adoption of subscription-based eBook services. These services offer customers unlimited access to a vast library of eBooks for a monthly fee. This model has gained traction in Southeast Asia as it provides readers with a cost-effective way to explore a wide range of titles. Additionally, subscription services often offer personalized recommendations based on the reader's preferences, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Local special circumstances:
Southeast Asia is a diverse region with unique cultural and linguistic characteristics. This presents both opportunities and challenges for the eBooks market. On one hand, the availability of eBooks in local languages has opened up a new market segment, catering to readers who prefer to consume content in their native language. On the other hand, the linguistic diversity poses challenges for publishers and distributors in terms of translation and localization efforts. However, the increasing demand for eBooks in local languages indicates a growing market potential that can be tapped into.

Underlying macroeconomic factors:
The rapid growth of the eBooks market in Southeast Asia can also be attributed to underlying macroeconomic factors. The region has witnessed a steady increase in internet penetration and smartphone adoption, providing a larger customer base for eBooks. Additionally, the rising disposable income levels in Southeast Asia have made eBooks more affordable and accessible to a wider audience. These macroeconomic factors, combined with the aforementioned customer preferences and market trends, have created a favorable environment for the development of the eBooks market in Southeast Asia. In conclusion, the eBooks market in Southeast Asia is experiencing robust growth due to changing customer preferences, emerging market trends, and local special circumstances. The rise of local authors, the adoption of subscription-based services, and the availability of eBooks in local languages are driving factors behind this growth. Moreover, underlying macroeconomic factors such as internet penetration and rising disposable income levels are contributing to the expansion of the market. As the market continues to evolve, it presents lucrative opportunities for publishers, authors, and distributors to tap into the growing demand for eBooks in Southeast Asia.

Methodology

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on the Books market, which covers paid publications in printed form and in the form of digital replicas (eBooks). Revenues from the consumer (of general interest), academic (for educational purposes), and professional (on specialized topics) markets are included here. All monetary figures refer to consumer spending on digital goods or subscriptions in the respective market. This spending factors in discounts, margins, and taxes.

Modeling approach / market size:

The market size is determined through a bottom-up approach. We use annual financial reports of the market-leading companies and industry associations, third-party studies and reports, survey results from our primary research (e.g., Consumer Insights), as well as performance factors (e.g., user penetration, price per product, usage) to analyze the markets. To estimate the market size for each country individually, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific industry associations, such as various macroeconomic indicators, historical developments, current trends, and reported performance indicators of key market players. In particular, we consider average prices and annual purchase frequencies.

Forecasts:

We apply a variety of forecasting techniques, depending on the behavior of the relevant market. For instance, the S-curve function and exponential trend smoothing are well suited for forecasting digital products and services due to the non-linear growth of technology adoption. The main drivers are GDP per capita, consumer spending per capita, and 4G coverage.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The market is updated twice a year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered at a country-specific level. The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year. In some cases, the data is updated on an ad hoc basis (e.g., when new, relevant data has been released or significant changes within the market have an impact on the projected development). Consumer Insights data is reweighted for representativeness.

Overview

  • Revenue
  • Analyst Opinion
  • Users
  • Global Comparison
  • Methodology
  • Key Market Indicators
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