Exercise books market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In the period from 2018 to 2020, the German exercise book market experienced moderate growth in value, reaching $34.5 million in 2020. During these years, education policy debates and preparations for the DigitalPakt Schule 2019-2024 set the stage for digital transformation in schools, while education reforms following PISA and TIMSS studies introduced all-day schools and new curricula, shaping demand for school materials.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market underwent significant swings. After a sharp drop to $28.1 million in 2021, value rebounded strongly to $37.2 million by 2023. In physical terms, market volume grew from 17 642 t in 2021 to 18 374 t in 2023, indicating a recovery in consumption despite the absence of specific reported drivers for these years.

In 2024, the market value declined to $34.8 million, with physical volume falling to 17 955 t. This contraction was driven by the ongoing digitalization of schools under the DigitalPakt Schule and altered consumption patterns among youth, including increased use of AI tools like ChatGPT, which reduced demand for traditional paper-based exercise books.

Production exercise books in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, the production value of exercise books reached 29 454 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 1.1% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 4.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.6%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 29 143 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 32 741 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop in production happened in 2019, falling by 11.0%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018, rising by 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports exercise books from Germany

Exports in kind, t

For the second year in a row, the volume of exercise books exported from Germany has declined. In 2020, Germany exported 2 613 tonnes of exercise books, which represents a 22.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 36.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -13.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 770 tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 29.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, up by 16.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for exercise book exports in volume terms remained highly fragmented. Poland accounted for 17.3% of exports, Denmark for 12.8%, and Sweden for 12.3%, with these three countries together making up just 42.4% of total flows. No single country achieved a dominant share during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of exercise books exported from Germany has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 8 767 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 1.9% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value declined by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 10 513 thousand US dollars. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 15.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 16.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

An analysis of exercise book exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across numerous markets. Austria held the largest share at 20.9%, followed by Poland at 13.3%, and Norway at 12.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 46.2% of total export value, while the remaining 53.8% was spread among other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports exercise books to Germany

Imports in kind, t

For the third consecutive year, the volume of exercise books imported into Germany has increased. In 2020, Germany imported approximately 4 521 tonnes of exercise books, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 37.4%, which equates to an average annual increase of 11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and Austria were the leading suppliers of exercise books to Germany in volume terms. France accounted for 24.8% of imports, Poland for 24.4%, and Austria for 22.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.7% of total import volumes.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of exercise books imported into Germany has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached approximately 13 793 thousand US dollars, indicating a slight increase of 1.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 49.3%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, France, Austria, and Poland played the dominant roles in exercise book imports to Germany in value terms. France accounted for 23.8% of imports, Austria for 23.7%, and Poland for 23.4%. Together, these three countries made up 70.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020