Canadian readers showed a clear preference for purchasing new books over borrowing them in 2024, according to the 13th edition of BookNet Canada’s annual Canadian Book Consumer Study. The report, which analyzes the behaviors of book buyers and borrowers across the country, reveals that Canadian book consumers bought an average of 3.6 new books per month last year.
BookNet Canada, a non-profit organization supporting the English-language book industry in Canada, published the 2024 report using data collected quarterly in March, June, September, and December. The study surveyed 4,212 Canadians, of whom 2,045 were classified as book buyers.
Methodology and Demographics
The survey was conducted online through a consumer panel managed by an external provider, drawing from a base of nearly 2 million Canadians. Participants were English-speaking adults aged 18 and older from across the country. The sample was designed to be representative of national demographics based on age, gender, and region, as defined by Statistics Canada. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. All data remains unweighted.
Buying vs. Borrowing
In 2024, 49% of surveyed Canadians reported buying new books in a given month, while 27% borrowed from a public library. Book buyers purchased an average of 3.6 books monthly—comprised of two print books, one ebook, and 0.5 audiobooks. In contrast, borrowers averaged 5.0 books per month—3.5 print, 0.9 ebooks, and 0.5 audiobooks.
The study also found that book consumers—both buyers and borrowers—tend to share several common characteristics. They are more likely than the general population to:
Live in urban areas (51% of buyers, 50% of borrowers vs. 48% of all Canadians),
Hold a college or university degree (51% of buyers, 52% of borrowers vs. 49%),
Possess a graduate or professional degree (26% of both buyers and borrowers vs. 19%),
Be employed full time (49% of buyers, 41% of borrowers vs. 35%).
Used Books and Other Access Methods
While new books dominate, 20% of Canadians reported purchasing used books, averaging 3.2 print books per month. Other access points include borrowing from friends or family (14% of Canadians at 2.8 books per month), receiving books as gifts (18% at 2.1 books per month), and acquiring free books, including digital downloads (19% at 3.8 books per month).
Format Preferences
Print continues to lead in format choice. Of all books purchased in 2024:
49% were paperbacks,
26% were hardcovers,
15% were ebooks, and
6% were audiobooks.
These figures align with previous years, indicating a stable preference for physical books among Canadian readers.
Conclusion
Despite trends in some international markets favoring used or digital formats due to economic pressures, the Canadian book market in 2024 remained strongly oriented toward new, print book purchases. The study provides valuable insights for publishers, libraries, and retailers into the behaviors and preferences of today’s Canadian book consumers.
