Spare a thought for Myanmar’s readers, authors and publishers as this globally ignored but brutal civil war continues.
In an age where digital media is on the rise, people in Myanmar continue to cherish the joy of reading physical books, reports the Chinese news site Xinhua Myanmar.
The narrative follows the predictable path of how the dreaded digital menace is being held back by the people’s love of print, but its a rare, if tilted insight into the state of publishing in Myanmar since the coup, and warrants some column space for that reason.
This passion for printed books has not only ensured the survival of bookshops but has also allowed them to flourish, explains Thet Soe Paing, the owner of Soe Paing Bookstore.
Adapting to Modern Times
Despite rapid content digitalisation, bookstores across Myanmar are persevering, thanks to a dedicated community of readers who value the tactile experience of holding a book.
Soe Paing Bookstore, a family-owned business in Yangon, has been operational for 28 years and continues to thrive by embracing modern technology. Booksellers are using digital platforms and social media to reach wider audiences, with customers often discovering books online before visiting physical shops to make purchases.
The narrative continues in similar vein. Frequent bookstore visitors, like Arthur Wadee Khin Myat Phone and Pyae Phyo Aung, express a strong preference for physical books over e-books. They enjoy the unique experience of reading printed books, citing the feel of the pages, the smell of the paper, and the connection to the writer’s world as irreplaceable aspects that e-books cannot match.
Industry Challenges
Myint Tun, chairman of the Myanmar Publishers and Booksellers Association, acknowledges several challenges facing the industry. High book prices and regional instability have led to a decline in the number of book buyers. The book publishing rate has decreased by 30 to 50 percent compared to the pre-COVID period, with approximately 200 book genres currently published monthly.
The View From The Beach
The digital book market in Myanmar – ebooks and audiobooks – is experiencing moderate growth. This growth is influenced by increasing internet penetration, a growing preference for online shopping, and rising literacy rates among the population.
Revenue Projections: The digital books market in Myanmar is projected to reach approximately $7.06 million in 2025, with an expected annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 4.03%. This growth is anticipated to result in a market volume of $8.27 million by 2029.
Internet penetration is around 44%, equating to 24 million people online.
Consumers in Myanmar are increasingly leaning towards digital entertainment and education solutions, driven by a youthful population eager for accessible and diverse content, despite the on-going civil war.
Spare a thought for Myanmar’s readers, authors and publishers as this globally ignored but brutal civil war continues.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
