Wed, 17 Sep 2025
Children’s Books Export from India: Market Size and Demand
India's publishing industry is experiencing an exciting transformation, with a significant rise in the export of children's books. As the world embraces educational development and the global demand for children's content grows, India’s rich cultural heritage and expertise in education have positioned it as a key player in the global children's book market. With booming demand in both traditional print and digital formats, India’s children's book exports are on a steep growth trajectory.
In this article, we will explore the market size, trends, and growing demand for children’s book exports from India. We will also analyze the key exporting countries, top book categories, and how Indian publishers and exporters can tap into this growing market.
The Rise of Children’s Books Exports from India
India’s Publishing Industry: A Global Overview
India has long been known for its rich literary tradition. Over the last few decades, the publishing industry in India has grown significantly, especially in sectors such as educational books and children’s literature. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Indian publishing industry is projected to grow at a rate of 10% annually, and children’s books form a crucial part of this growth.
The global demand for children’s books is expected to rise due to:
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Increased awareness about child development and education.
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Demand for cultural diversity in children's stories.
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Rise in digital education tools.
India is uniquely positioned with its ability to produce affordable yet high-quality children’s books that appeal to global markets. The booming children's publishing industry in India is driven by factors such as the growing literacy rates, the need for diverse educational content, and the global expansion of digital learning.
Market Size of Children’s Book Exports from India
Export Trends and Key Statistics
India has become a global exporter of children’s books, with a marked increase in the volume and value of these exports. According to data from sources like Volza, India has seen substantial growth in the export of children's books. In 2023–2024, India exported over 2,500 shipments of children's books, with the highest demand coming from countries such as:
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United States
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United Arab Emirates
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United Kingdom
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Philippines
The total value of children's book exports from India has been steadily increasing year-over-year, making it a key contributor to India’s publishing exports. This growth is expected to continue, with global market dynamics favoring affordable education and interactive learning tools for children.
Top Exporting Categories
In 2023, the most exported categories of children’s books from India included:
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Picture Books: Colorful and engaging books for younger children, with educational themes such as ABCs, animals, and nature.
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Storybooks: Traditional and modern stories that cater to various age groups.
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Activity and Educational Books: These include puzzle books, activity books, and early learning books.
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Digital E-books: Increasingly popular in developed markets.
India's ability to produce quality educational content that is culturally diverse has enhanced its position in the global market. Whether through print or digital media, Indian children’s books provide a unique blend of local storytelling and global educational standards.
Why is Demand for Indian Children’s Books Rising?
1. Diverse Storytelling and Cultural Richness
Indian publishers have a unique advantage: India's diverse culture. Indian children's books often incorporate rich cultural and moral lessons, blending traditional storytelling with contemporary themes. As global markets seek more diversity in children's literature, India’s contribution to multicultural books is recognized for its potential.
Books with Indian folklore, mythological tales, and fables are becoming highly popular worldwide, especially in regions that are looking to diversify their reading materials. The integration of these cultural elements adds a new layer of interest and value to children's books that often focuses on ethical education.
2. Focus on Education and Learning Tools
The demand for educational books that help children learn has risen globally. India has been at the forefront of providing interactive learning tools, such as:
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Activity-based books designed for hands-on learning.
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STEM education books (science, technology, engineering, and math).
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Language-learning books for both children and adults.
Countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, for example, are increasingly importing educational and interactive children’s books from India to address their local educational needs.
3. Affordable Pricing and High Quality
India’s robust printing industry and economies of scale make Indian children’s books affordable compared to exports from countries like the UK and the US. As a result, Indian publishers can produce large volumes of books at competitive prices while maintaining international quality standards. This balance of affordability and quality is one of the major reasons why India has seen consistent demand in both developing and developed markets.
4. Digital Revolution in Children’s Literature
With the increasing global acceptance of digital books, India has leveraged its growing digital publishing industry to expand its exports. The rise of e-books, audio books, and interactive learning apps has opened up a new frontier for children’s book exports.
As educational institutions around the world adopt digital tools, the need for digital children’s books has increased, providing Indian exporters with an opportunity to tap into this growing market.
Top Countries Importing Children’s Books from India
India exports children's books to more than 50 countries, but the top markets for Indian children's books include:
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United States: Home to diverse educational needs, the U.S. imports a wide range of educational and story books for children. Indian publishers are capitalizing on the rising demand for bilingual books, STEM-related content, and early learning books.
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United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE imports a significant number of children's educational books due to a large expatriate community and increasing focus on educational reform.
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United Kingdom: As one of the traditional markets for children's books, the UK continues to see a steady demand for Indian storybooks and picture books.
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Philippines: The Philippine market has shown a rising interest in children’s educational books, especially early learning and activity books.
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Australia and South Africa: These countries import Indian children's books that focus on multi-ethnic storytelling, often aimed at educating children in multicultural societies.
Challenges for Indian Children’s Book Exports
Despite the rise in demand for children’s books, Indian exporters face several challenges:
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Competition from other Asian countries like China and Sri Lanka.
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Intellectual property concerns, especially in digital media.
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Language and cultural differences in international markets.
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Regulatory requirements for children's books in various countries.
How to Start Exporting Children’s Books from India
Starting a children’s book export business requires careful planning and understanding of the global market. Here’s a step-by-step guide for exporters in India:
1. Register with Export Promotion Agencies
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Obtain an Import Export Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
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Register with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) for a wider network of buyers.
2. Understand the Target Market
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Research the global demand for children's books in different regions.
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Identify niche markets like interactive learning books, bilingual books, or activity-based books.
3. Build Relationships with Distributors and Publishers
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Work with distributors in the target country to help sell your books.
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Attend international book fairs and events like Frankfurt Book Fair to network and find potential buyers.
4. Comply with International Standards
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Ensure your books meet the quality standards and regulations of your target markets.
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If exporting to Europe, ensure books comply with CE marking for toys and books.
Conclusion: The Future of Children’s Book Exports from India
The future of children’s book exports from India is bright. With a focus on education, cultural diversity, and high-quality affordable products, India is poised to strengthen its position as one of the leading exporters of children’s literature. With expanding markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the potential for growth is immense.
For publishers and exporters, this is the perfect time to tap into global demand by leveraging India’s cultural richness, digital capabilities, and affordable production costs.
Ready to explore the opportunities in children’s book exports? As a leading marketplace for export and import, we partner with numerous exporters in India, ensuring high-quality products at competitive prices. Visit the Navi Exports – Children’s Books Export Page to start your export journey with us.
FAQs on Children’s Books Export from India
Q1: How much does India export in children’s books?
India exports over 2,500 shipments of children’s books annually, valued at millions of dollars.
Q2: Which countries are the largest importers of Indian children’s books?
The United States, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom are the top importers.
Q3: What types of children’s books are most exported from India?
Picture books, storybooks, educational books, and digital e-books are in high demand globally.
Q4: How can I start exporting children’s books from India?
You’ll need an IEC, registration with trade bodies, and strong distribution partners.
Q5: Is there any government support for children’s book exporters?
Yes, the Tea Board of India and APEDA provide various incentives for exporting publishers.
