BA survey reveals bookselling demographics

In the UK, findings from the Booksellers Association’s (BA) inaugural Workforce Diversity Survey have revealed the demographics of the bookselling workforce, reports the Bookseller.

The anonymous online survey of 185 booksellers from 118 bookshops across the UK and Ireland was conducted between July and September last year. The BA described the survey as ‘a key first step in measuring our sector’s diversity’.

The survey found that 71% of the workforce identified as female; 7% said their gender identity differs from their birth sex; and 23% identified as LGB+. Of the respondents, 29% had a disability or long-term health condition, 23% had a neurodiverse condition and 35% said they were currently experiencing mental health problems.

The percentage of people in the bookselling workforce from non-white ethnic minority groups (7%) is less than the national average (18%). Likewise, 59% of respondents came from professional backgrounds (compared to 37% of the population) and 17% attended an independent or fee-paying school (compared to 7% of the population).

The majority of respondents agreed or agreed strongly they feel included (93%), respected (92%) and like they belong at work (94%).

BA managing director Meryl Halls said the survey is ‘a vital step in our wider commitment to making bookselling more inclusive and representative of the population’.

‘We are very proud of the fact that there are many areas in which booksellers over-index compared with the national population—including LGTBQ+, those with long-term health conditions and those with mental health challenges,’ said Halls. ‘It seems to us, clearly from these statistics, that bookselling is a de facto safe space for those from a variety of demographics, and this should be a source of pride for our sector. However, in other areas it is clear there is a long road ahead, particularly in the representation of booksellers from ethnic minority groups.’

Category: International news