The article examines the rapid development of the global audiobook market, which is currently the fastest growing sector in the field of book production. It was found that the audiobook market in the United States, which today is considered the largest in the world for the twelve months of 2019 grew by 47% compared to 2018. The growth trend of the audiobook market is stable, growth continues in 2020. The reasons for the growth, which are primarily related to the development of technology, have been studied. Smartphones, tablets and, more recently, artificial intelligence — all this has spurred the development of audiobooks and provided the desired way to get acquainted with the book to those who have vision problems, the elderly. The market for audiobook CDs in 2010 was 58% of sales against 42%. digital shifts. The shift towards the rapid growth of audiobooks began when we switched to digital media instead of using audiobook CDs. In recent years, the situation has changed rapidly because many older people have become better versed in technology, and also because the emergence of new gadgets that can read, attracts a new audience that is getting younger. The average age of listeners has grown from those who are 50 (which was relevant in 2010) to those who are not yet 50. In 2018, Google launched an audiobook store for people aged 45 in different countries in nine different languages. It is emphasized that the audiobook attracts a diverse audience, as it is no longer aimed exclusively at the elderly, but becomes interesting to people of all ages from all walks of life. It has been proven that audiobooks are rapidly gaining share in both the book market and the general media market, but the share of audiobooks in the book market does not come from printed books. 78% of all income from the book trade in the world is accounted for by the printed book. Audiobooks are taking away the frequent market in which e-books dominated a few years ago. According to analysts, by the end of 2023, revenue from the sale of audiobooks will be equal to revenues from e-books.