“Books in Translation” – New report on European publishing markets available
The ThinkPub report “Books in Translation”:
is mapping Europe’s cultural exchanges through books.
The report “Books in Translation” offers a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of book translations across Europe, examining how literary works move between languages, markets, and cultures.
At a time when Europe’s cultural diversity and democratic resilience are increasingly linked to cross-border exchange, the report provides timely insights into the role of translation as a cornerstone of the European book ecosystem and as a key cultural policy instrument.
The report is now available for free download here.
Drawing on quantitative data, qualitative market analysis, and country-level case studies, the report aims to deepen the understanding of how translations shape readerships, publishing strategies, and cultural flows across Europe — and how these dynamics are evolving under economic pressure, digital transformation, and geopolitical change.
Approach and Scope of the Report
“Books in Translation” develops a Europe-wide perspective, combining statistical evidence with market intelligence from national book industries and national libraries.
Its scope covers:
- Translation flows between European languages and from non-European source languages into European markets;
- The role of English as a dominant source language alongside regional and smaller languages;
- Structural differences between large and small book markets;
- The impact of subsidies, institutional frameworks, and public funding on translation activity;
- The strategic position of translations within publishers’ catalogues.
Rather than treating translations as a marginal or purely cultural phenomenon, the report positions them as a structural component of Europe’s book economy, influencing competitiveness, discoverability of authors, and long-term cultural exchange.
Download a summary of the report’s findings here.