The Dutch bought more books last year, helping to push up sales 3% to €685 million, book promotion foundation CPNB said on Thursday.

In total, the Dutch bought over 43 million books, a rise of several tens of thousands on 2022 and the fourth annual increase in a row.

The rise is due to the sale of English language books and e-books, and the sale of Dutch language books fell by 0.3%. Sales of Dutch fiction have fallen 15% since 2019, the CPNB said.

One in five books now bought in the Netherlands is in a language other than Dutch. In particular, young adult books in English are popular with teenagers and people in their 20s.

E-book sales rose 13% in value terms to €32 million, but they still retain a modest share of the total market.

“It is hopeful to see that more books have been sold in the Netherlands for the fourth year in a row and that sales have grown for the ninth year in a row, given the downturn in France, England, America and Germany”, said foundation chief Eveline Aendekerk.

The CPNB will publish a list of the country’s best sellers later on Thursday.