Here are some of the numbers:
In the UK, Bible sales rose to £6.3 million in 2025, up from £2.7 million in 2019. This represents a 134% increase in value and a 106% rise in volume over six years, with the sharpest annual growth occurring in the past year. Between 2024 and 2025, revenue increased by 25%, while the number of copies sold rose by 28%. The research also indicates that religion is among the fastest-growing non-fiction genres, with sales up 11% in 2025, compared with a 6% increase the previous year.
SPCK chief executive Sam Richardson described the trend as evidence of a broader cultural shift, pointing to a growing curiosity about faith, particularly among 18-28 year olds. He suggested that their openness to spiritual questions may reflect the context in which they have come of age; the Covid-19 pandemic, artificial intelligence and increasing pressures on mental health.
The comments of the sales director at the Church House bookshop in London contained in the Guardian’s article[2] is interesting. “We’ve seen an increase in people coming to the Bible from scratch . . . They have no Christian background whatsoever. They have no grounding from their parents or from their school. Whereas most people in prior generations would have.”
Many young people appear to be choosing to explore the Bible for themselves rather than adopting the assumptions of earlier generations. Social media has amplified this interest, with platforms such as TikTok featuring young adults sharing first-time Bible purchases, personal reflections on faith, and plans to attend church. Perhaps the long form podcasts of Joe Rogan, Wes Huff and others who seriously discuss the Bible are having an effect.
Publishers report particularly strong demand for study Bibles, children’s editions, and accessible formats for new readers, suggesting that buyers are engaging seriously with the text rather than acquiring it merely as a cultural artefact. HarperCollins Christian Publishing chief executive Mark Schoenwald noted that sales of the NIV Study Bible have now surpassed 10 million copies, indicating sustained and thoughtful engagement. “People are not just buying Bibles,” he said. “They’re trying to read them, understand them, and apply them to their lives.”
Long may it continue.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, he reminded him of the great privilege of his upbringing, “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:15).
May the increasing number of Bibles purchased be read and many people discover the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him as their Saviour and Lord.
For more information on subjects such as: Is the Bible still relevant? Is the Bible reliable? Has God spoken? read UtG articles here: The Bible
Why not take the time to listen to a series of podcasts titled “The Quiet Revival”? In this opening episode Alasdair MacPherson sits down with Rhiannon McAleer of The Bible Society to discuss her research into the changing patterns of faith in the UK. Access the podcast here: Quiet Revival Episode 1
[1] https://spckpublishing.co.uk/blog/why-people-are-turning-back-to-the-bible.html
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/10/its-younger-people-seeking-some-sort-of-spirituality-the-rise-of-uk-bible-sales
