Complete Statistics on Biographies and Personal Stories for 2025

Biographies and personal stories have long been a cornerstone of the literary world. They offer unparalleled insights into notable individuals’ lives, celebrate ordinary people’s resilience, and connect readers through shared experiences. These works span across cultures and genres, maintaining a universal appeal. 

Let’s get into the latest statistics and trends shaping the biography and personal story genre, with detailed insights into sales, market trends, and global popularity.

Key takeaways

• Biographies and personal stories remain a staple in publishing, appealing to readers seeking inspiration, insight, and connection.
• The audiobook market is projected to grow to $35.05 billion by 2028, with biographies accounting for a significant share of consumption.
• Over 30% of newly published biographies in 2023 focused on underrepresented voices, highlighting a shift toward inclusivity.
• Biographies are the third most translated genre globally, showcasing their ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.
• Meminto documents personal stories one question at a time and prints them as a matte hardcover keepsake in DIN A5.
• Iconic autobiographies, such as Becoming by Michelle Obama and Educated by Tara Westover, continue to dominate sales and inspire readers worldwide.
• Biography and memoir markets show notable strength in countries like the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Australia, reflecting global demand.
• Advances in technology and growing consumer interest in authentic, diverse narratives promise sustained growth for the genre.

Popularity and sales of biographies

Biographies and memoirs consistently rank among the most sought-after literary genres. Their ability to inspire, educate, and entertain makes them a staple on bestseller lists worldwide. Here’s a look at their performance in the publishing market according to Wordrated :

• United States Trends: Biographies and autobiographies dominate hardcover non-fiction sales in the U.S., with Amazon ranking them as the number one best-selling category. These works outperform other popular non-fiction genres like self-help and religion.
• Revenue Growth: The memoir and biography category for young adults saw a 26% growth in sales revenue over five years. However, unit sales for this category dropped by 17.9% in 2021 compared to 2020, despite a strong first quarter in 2021 with a 38% increase over Q1 2020.
• Global Bestsellers: Works like Prince Harry’s Spare have succeeded immensely, topping bestseller charts in countries like the UK, Ireland, Italy, and New Zealand.

Global book market insights

The global book market is vast and diverse, with biographies and personal stories contributing significantly to its revenue. These works often bridge the gap between print and digital, appealing to various demographics. Here’s an overview of the broader book market and its impact on this genre, according to Statista:

• Market Size and Growth: The global book market is expected to generate $91.98 billion in revenue by 2024, growing at a steady annual rate of 1.58%.
• Format Preferences: Print books dominate the market, accounting for 77% of total sales. Audiobooks, a growing format for biographies, are projected to expand by 27% in the next five years.
• Sales Distribution: Approximately 2.2 billion books are sold globally each year, with the U.S., China, and the UK accounting for over 72% of these sales.

Country-specific statistics

Each country has its own preferences in biographies and personal stories. From historical narratives to celebrity memoirs, the genre’s appeal transcends borders. Here’s a breakdown of the statistics from different regions:

• United States

Biographies are a mainstay in the U.S. literary market. The country is expected to generate $23.4 billion in book revenue in 2024, with memoirs and personal stories playing a key role.

• France

The French book market grew by 1.5% in 2023, driven by a strong appetite for literary biographies and historical narratives.

• India

India’s book market grew by 7.1% in 2023, making it one of the top five global markets. Biographies of leaders and influencers are particularly popular.

• Mexico

Mexico saw an 11.4% rise in book market revenue in 2023, reflecting growing interest in diverse genres, including personal stories.

• Australia and New Zealand

Although both countries experienced revenue declines in 2023 (Australia: -2.1%, New Zealand: -5.4%), biographies remain a favorite genre, often ranking high on bestseller lists.

Statistics on nonfiction book sales, including biographies and personal stories

The nonfiction book market is a significant segment of the publishing industry, encompassing diverse genres such as biographies, memoirs, self-help, and history. This segment has consistently shown resilience and growth, particularly in print and digital formats. Below are key statistics that shed light on the performance and trends within this market, according to Wordrated.

Global nonfiction book market

• Market Size: The global nonfiction book market was valued at $14.02 billion in 2022, marking a 5.7% increase from $13.27 billion in 2021.
• Projected Growth: By 2026, the market is expected to reach $16.61 billion, indicating a steady growth trajectory.

Nonfiction book sales in the United States

• Revenue: In 2021, total U.S. nonfiction sales revenue was $7.34 billion, a 1.52% increase from $7.23 billion in 2020. 
• Market Share: The U.S. nonfiction book market accounts for over 55.3% of global nonfiction book revenue. 
• Adult Nonfiction Sales: Adult nonfiction sales reached $6.40 billion, while young adult (YA) and juvenile nonfiction generated over $0.94 billion per year. 
• Print Book Sales:
  • In 2022, over 360.11 million nonfiction print books were sold in the U.S., a 10.4% decrease from 401.94 million units in 2021. 
  • Nonfiction print books accounted for 45.5% of total print book sales in the U.S. in 2022, trailing fiction books for the second consecutive year. 

Digital nonfiction book sales in the U.S.

• E-books:
  • In 2020, adult nonfiction e-book sales peaked at 36 million units in the U.S.
  • Sales declined to 29 million units in 2021, representing a 19.44% decrease.
• Audiobooks:
  • In 2020, audiobooks were particularly popular in the adult nonfiction category, representing one in five books sold in this segment. 
  • In 2018, nonfiction audiobooks accounted for 32.7% of total U.S. audiobook sales, a 29.4% increase compared to the previous year. 

These statistics provide a comprehensive overview of the nonfiction book market, highlighting the significant role of biographies and personal stories within this genre.

Best-selling memoirs and autobiographies

Memoirs and autobiographies provide readers with intimate insights into the lives of influential figures, often becoming literary classics or best-sellers. Some titles even make it to the list of top-selling audiobooks, demonstrating their enduring appeal. 

Below are notable examples of memoirs and autobiographies, along with their estimated sales according to Wordrated:

• An Autobiography by Agatha Christie (2012): Over 10 million copies sold.
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin (1791): More than 5 million copies sold.
• A Promised Land by Barack Obama (2020): Exceeded 5 million copies in sales.
• Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018): Reached 4 million copies sold.
• Educated by Tara Westover (2018): Sold over 2 million copies.
• Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (2016): More than 2 million copies sold.
• Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball (1997): Achieved sales of 1 million copies.
• Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant (2006): Sold over 1 million copies.
• Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer (1997): Surpassed 1 million copies sold.
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X (1987): Sold approximately 500,000 copies.

These works stand out for their narrative depth and their commercial success.

General statistics on biographies and memoirs

This section highlights key statistics about the biography and memoir genre, including market performance and reader engagement trends, according to Wordrated .

• Global Book Sales: Biographies and memoirs account for a significant share of the 2.2 billion books sold annually worldwide.
• Audiobook Success: Biographies are among the most popular genres, with the format’s revenue projected to grow by 27% over the next five years.
• Self-Publishing Trends: Over 60% of memoir authors in recent years have opted for self-publishing, reflecting increased accessibility to publishing tools.
• Celebrity Biographies: Works by celebrities dominate bestseller lists, with figures like Michelle Obama and Prince Harry achieving record-breaking sales.

Emerging trends in biographies and personal stories

The biography genre continues to evolve, embracing new formats and diverse narratives. From titles for young adults to digital platforms, these works are adapting to what modern readers want. Here are the emerging trends shaping the genre according to Wordrated :

• Young Adult Biographies: Biographies tailored for younger readers are seeing increased demand, with strong revenue growth in this category over the past five years.
• Digital Expansion: Audiobooks and e-books are becoming essential formats for biographies, offering greater accessibility and convenience to readers.
• Regional Preferences: In Europe, readers favor literary and historical biographies, while U.S. audiences gravitate toward celebrity memoirs and self-help-oriented narratives.

The impact of biographies on readers

Biographies entertain, and they give readers a window into the lives of others: a source of inspiration, knowledge, and empathy. Their emotional and educational appeal has led to a steady rise in demand across various demographics.

Here are some stats showing the impact of biographies according to Wordrated :

• Reader Demographics: A survey conducted by WordsRated revealed that 61% of readers who prefer non-fiction books opt for biographies and memoirs, emphasizing their enduring popularity.
• Book Clubs: Over 40% of book clubs in the U.S. select biographies or memoirs at least once a year, reflecting their widespread appeal.
• Educational Use: In schools and universities, biographies account for nearly 15% of all recommended non-fiction reading lists, especially for courses in history and leadership.

Future outlook

The biography and memoir genre is poised for significant growth as more authors share diverse and untold stories. Advances in technology, combined with changing consumer preferences, are likely to continue driving its popularity.

• Audiobook Growth: The global audiobook market is projected to reach $19.7 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26%.
• Diverse Voices: In 2024, there has been a notable increase in the publication of translated works, with 350 titles translated from French to English expected to be released in the United States.

Preserve your life stories with Meminto

Meminto helps you document your life so that your experiences, lessons, and memories are kept for future generations. For a personal memoir, a family history or a legacy book, guided prompts lead you through the process, and you can adapt them to your own story.

Key features:

• Guided storytelling: Receive regular prompts that help you reflect on and document significant life events.
• Speech-to-text: Tell your stories aloud; Meminto transcribes your voice into text, so you don’t have to type.
• Collaborative writing: Invite family and friends to contribute their own memories and perspectives.
• Printed books: Your stories are printed as a durable, full-color hardcover book for sharing and keeping.

How it works:

1. Start your book: Choose the book that fits your story and begin with a one-time payment. You can try the process first with a free mini book of nine questions.
2. Answer your questions: Reply in the app by voice, video or text. Meminto can also call you once a week to record your stories.
3. Receive your printed book: Once your stories are complete, you receive a printed, full-color hardcover book to keep or to give to the people you love.

With Meminto, your memories become a printed book about your life. Start preserving them today.

What these biography statistics mean for your own story

The numbers point one way: demand for diverse narratives is growing, formats like audiobooks are reaching new readers, and memoirs keep their appeal. You don’t need a publisher to add your own story. Meminto makes it concrete: one question a week for a year, then a printed matte hardcover book.