The 15 Largest Publishing Companies In The World (2026 Update)
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The largest publishing company in the U.S. is Pearson Education, boasting a revenue of $4.751 billion and holding a market share of 40% among all U.S. academic publishers.
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As of 2026, the global book publishing industry has a market size of $120 billion.
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Over 2 million books are published each year worldwide.
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The global publishing industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% through 2027.
The traditional definition of commercial publishers includes organizations that acquire manuscripts via agents or directly from authors. These companies make all editorial decisions regarding content and style, fund production and distribution, and retain copyright ownership.
Proceeds from book sales typically funnel back to the publisher, which then pays authors royalties based on their contractual agreements.
Publishers operate across a wide range of genres and industries, selling copies through bookstores, educational institutions, libraries, online platforms, and book clubs. They may also hold international rights for translation and distribution. So, who are the largest publishing companies currently operating in this dynamic landscape?
The 15 largest publishing companies in the world are:
A Deeper Look at The Top 15 Largest Publishing Companies
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2022 Annual Revenue: $4.751 billion
This British-owned educational publishing and assessment firm encompasses various educational media brands including Addison-Wesley, Peachpit, and Prentice-Hall. While globally recognized, approximately 60% of their revenues are generated in the United States. Pearson maintains its headquarters in London, along with numerous offices across Europe and strong partnerships with higher-education publishers for textbooks and assessments.
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2021 Annual Revenue: $4.09 billion
Formed in 2013 through the merger of Random House and Penguin Group, Penguin Random House publishes around 15,000 titles annually under its 250 divisions. The company expanded its focus on education in 2015 and was involved in a significant acquisition of Simon & Schuster for $2.175 billion.
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2022 Annual Revenue: $2.748 billion
Founded in 1826, Hachette is a French publisher that has expanded its global presence through several acquisitions. The company is involved in diverse segments, including publishing, partworks, and distribution, and has ventured into areas like comic books and adult coloring books.
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2022 Annual Revenue: $2.19 billion
HarperCollins, one of the “Big Five” publishing companies, was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in New York City. The company has a strong presence across several countries and is known for publishing notable works such as “The Hobbit” and “The Alchemist.”
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2022 Annual Revenue: $2.08 billion
Founded in 1807, Wiley specializes in academic publishing and instructional materials. Their offerings include books, journals, encyclopedias, and various online products and services, available in print and digital formats.
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Springer Nature
2021 Annual Revenue: $1.86 billion
Springer Nature emerged from a merger in 2015 and is known for its extensive academic publishing portfolio. The company employs over 10,000 people globally and includes various subsidiaries focusing on scientific and educational content.
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2022 Annual Revenue: $1.64 billion
Founded in 1920, Scholastic is recognized for its educational materials and youth magazines. The company operates in three segments: children’s book publishing, education, and international sales.
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2021 Annual Revenue: $1.54 billion
As one of the “big three” educational publishers, McGraw-Hill provides customizable educational content and services for students across all educational levels. The company was acquired by Apollo Global Management in 2013.
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Kodansha
2022 Annual Revenue: $1.48 billion
Kodansha is the largest publishing company in Japan, known for its manga magazines and other literary publications. The company plays a significant role in Japan’s publishing landscape.
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Macmillan Publishers
2021 Annual Revenue: $1.4 billion
Macmillan, also part of the “Big Five,” was founded in 1843 and has a rich history of publishing classic literary works. The company recently collaborated with Wattpad for book sales and distribution.
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2022 Annual Revenue: $1.37 billion
Cengage focuses on educational content and technology, serving various markets globally. The company includes a library reference arm, Gale, which specializes in educational publishing.
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2022 Annual Revenue: $1.2 billion
Specializing in educational materials and textbooks, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has recently expanded its offerings to include TV production ventures, thereby enhancing its brand reach.
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Simon & Schuster
2022 Annual Revenue: $1.2 billion
Originally founded in 1924, Simon & Schuster has a rich history in publishing, including the creation of Little Golden Books. The company is slated for acquisition by Penguin Random House, finalizing a significant deal to enhance its market presence.
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2022 Annual Revenue: $97.17 million
The largest university press globally, Oxford University Press has a legacy dating back to 1480. It publishes a vast array of significant academic and educational materials, including dictionaries and scholarly works.
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Shueisha
2021 Annual Revenue: $400 million
Shueisha, founded in 1925, is known for publishing popular manga and kanzenban magazines, catering to diverse audiences and contributing significantly to Japan’s entertainment publishing sector.
Largest Publishing Company FAQ
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Are books a dying industry?
No, books are not a dying industry. The book industry is thriving, even amidst technological advancements. While book sales have seen a slight increase of 1.4%, print sales have risen by 8.2%, and eBook and audiobook sales have soared by over 12%.
In 2021, an impressive 2.3 million self-published books were released, reflecting a 93% increase compared to previous years.
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How many books are sold in the U.S. each year?
Between 700 and 900 million books are sold in the U.S. each year. A record of 942 million units was sold in 2020, while 2022 saw 788.7 million books sold.
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Is Amazon becoming a monopoly in the publishing world?
Yes, experts believe that Amazon is nearing monopoly status in the publishing sector. The company controls approximately 80% of book distribution in the U.S., raising concerns about anti-competitive practices that may disadvantage publishers.
Author
Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
