Italian school textbook market faces high costs and concentration

The Italian school textbook market has reached an annual value of approximately 800 million euros for new books, with an additional 150 million euros generated by the used book market. According to an investigation by the Italian Competition Authority (Antitrust), the financial burden on families is significant, particularly during middle and high school. The average expenditure for the entire lower secondary cycle is estimated at 580 euros, while the total cost for high school can reach 1,250 euros.

Data from Altroconsumo indicates that textbook prices have risen by more than 25% over the last decade, driven by increased production, paper, and energy costs. The market is characterized by high concentration, with four major players—Mondadori, Zanichelli, Sanoma, and La Scuola—controlling over 80% of the sector.