What this market covers
Illustrated sequential storytelling publications sold as single issues, collected volumes and graphic novels. Readers, collectors and libraries buy them through bookstores, specialty shops and digital platforms.
Typical segments
- Superhero comics
- Manga
- Graphic novels
- Independent comics
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +8% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -22% since 2020.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €1.45 billion of products under CN code 49019900 (Printed books, brochures and similar printed matter) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.45 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 49019900 were up 8% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.35 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +8 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 49019900 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.52 billion in 2025. | 1.52 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 49019900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €3.59 billion in 2025. | 3.59 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 49019900 to the EU in 2025, with €504.7 million, or 35% of extra-EU imports. | 504.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 49019900 to the United States were €244.9 million in 2025. | 244.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 49019900 was €9.69 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 9.69 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 49019900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €409.4 million. | 409.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 16,559 enterprises in NACE class J5819 (Other publishing activities) in 2023. | 16,559 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class J5819 had net turnover of €5.40 billion in 2023. | 5.40 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class J5819 employed 43,745 people across the EU in 2023. | 43,745 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 528 private establishments in NAICS 323117 (Books printing) in 2025. | 528 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 323117 employed an average of 12,147 people in US private industry in 2025. | 12,147 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 323117 changed by -22% between 2020 (15,533 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -22 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 323117 was $62,674 in 2025. | 62,674 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 49019900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1454964004
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 49019900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1351030011; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1454964004
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 49019900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1521319811
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 49019900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3588839321
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 49019900, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 504729485
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 49019900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 244900834
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 49019900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1454964004, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1500954
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 49019900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 409353424
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 J5819, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 16559
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 J5819, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 5403
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 J5819, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 43745
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 323117, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 323117, annual_avg_estabs 528
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 323117, annual_avg_emplvl 12147
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 15533; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 12147
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 323117, avg_annual_pay 62674
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Book retailers
- Collectors
- Libraries and schools
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU comic book market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.45 billion of goods under CN 49019900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.52 billion.
Where does the EU import comic book from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United States, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of comic book in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €9.69 per kilogram for CN 49019900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most comic book?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Spain.
How many US companies are in the comic book industry?
BLS counts 528 private establishments in NAICS 323117 (Books printing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the comic book industry?
Eurostat counts 16,559 enterprises in NACE class J5819 (Other publishing activities).
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