Are Magazines Dying Off? The State of Magazines in 2025

In 2025, magazines face one of the most interesting times since their inception. Our modern era has allowed for new ways of consuming content through digital means and the magazine industry has been forced to adapt to a changing print landscape. However, it’s not all tough news and challenges - the state of magazines is actually filled with opportunity. So, are magazines dying off in 2025? Let’s take a closer look.

The State of Magazines in 2025

Looking at the overall state of magazines at the moment in Australia, there are a few different points to take into account to determine the success of the medium. Over the 12 month period between March 2024 and March 2025, seven of the top 25 most widely read print magazines increased their readership. While that means that there was a decline across the other 18 magazines, the fact that there was any increase at all presents a nugget of inspiration for the print magazine industry as a whole. 

Despite the ease and accessibility of digital formats providing magazine readers a way to consume content online, 11.2 million people in Australia - almost half of the population - read print magazines. While that number expands to 14.9 million Australians (65.4% of the population) when online magazine formats are taken into account, it’s undeniable that print magazines are still a serious player in the game of Australian media consumption. Suffice to say, the magazine industry is most definitely not dead in 2025.

Are Magazines on a Decline or Making a Comeback?

To explore whether magazines are on a decline or are making a comeback in our modern era, it’s important to understand that the readership rates of magazines differ immensely between the different categories. Over a 12 month period between 2024 and 2025, readership for women’s lifestyle magazines increased a massive 23.6%. Motorcycle magazines also increased a large amount, expanding their readership by 28.2%. This trend of growth was also apparent across a few other smaller magazine categories - like adventure bikes and diabetic living. 

When it comes to consumers spending money on print magazines, it’s increasingly on those that align with their niche interests. Print magazines have the ability to reach a specific demographic through a carefully curated brand and hyper-focus on a small area of topics - as opposed to the endless streams of content online. A variety of niche magazines are seeing an increase in their readership as they provide an alternative means of content to the overwhelming tirade of information online. To say that the magazine industry as a whole is on a decline would be ignoring the incredible success in the expansion of readership of a range of categories and titles.

What’s more, there are also a plethora of magazine titles that are being used for non-traditional commercial print. You’ve no doubt seen these for yourself - they range from magazine-style IKEA catalogues to supermarket booklets, plus even wedding magazines being used as gifts to guests with pre-wedding photos. With a growing desire for tangible means of receiving content and sharing memories, non-traditional kinds of magazines are thriving. After all, sentimental keepsakes - like the beauty of a wedding day - feel a lot better when you can hold them in your hands.

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How Magazines Are Adapting to the Digital Age

Print magazines may not be dead in 2025, however there’s no denying that digital formats need to also be embraced. Despite an understanding that print and digital mediums are at competition with each other, success in the magazine industry realistically comes from these two mediums working together in a symbiotic relationship. A print magazine only benefits from an online presence across social channels, blogs, newsletters and websites, helping them to expand their reach and potential readership. The internet isn’t the enemy of print magazines - it’s a portal of opportunity to reach audiences that a publication may never have been able to before.

The most common way that you’ll find magazines adapting to the digital age is through digital models of their printed product. This doesn’t only provide an ease of access for readers who can’t get their hands on a printed copy, but it also expands an active audience through interactive content and a diversity of material - like videos, images, digital shops and community connection.

The Future of Magazines

While it’s impossible to predict the future, there is a noticeable simmer of optimism in the magazine industry that points toward a comeback of sorts. A range of Australian publications have recently returned to the business of print after years of hiatus. Even more excitingly, there have been a range of new print publications that have emerged recently, pointing to a belief by the people at the centre of the industry that this is one that will not only survive, but thrive.

As we barrel through an increasingly digitalised world, the future of magazines might actually lie in the hands of the publications who are embracing the print medium. To find out more about our range of options for fast, easy and modern magazine printing, head here.

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