Finnish textbook authors earn up to €200,000 a year, some buying investment properties for children

Finnish teachers who write school textbooks can earn annual incomes exceeding €200,000, with some using the earnings to purchase holiday homes or investment properties for their children, a report by national broadcaster Yle reveals.

According to tax records analysed by Yle, top-earning textbook authors—particularly in mathematics, Finnish language, and English—regularly surpass €100,000 in annual income, with the highest-reported earnings reaching €228,871. The most lucrative subjects reflect high demand for consumable workbooks in primary schools, where students number over 537,000.

Timo Tapiainen, a mathematics teacher and textbook author for 15 years, confirms that royalties have significantly boosted his income. “There have been good years—it’s been worth it,” he said, noting that while his earnings vary, they have at times exceeded €100,000 annually, far above the average teacher’s monthly salary of €3,000–€3,200. Some colleagues, he added, have used textbook royalties to buy summer cottages or investment properties for their children.

Demand driven by curriculum changes and digital expansion

Textbook development is a lengthy process, often spanning two years from initial planning to payment. Authors typically work evenings and weekends alongside their teaching jobs, with peak periods requiring over 1,000 additional hours annually. Tapiainen described balancing both roles as “two full-time jobs,” though financially rewarding.

Modern textbooks extend beyond print, requiring authors to produce digital content like videos and interactive exercises. A single textbook series can generate royalties for up to a decade if the national curriculum remains unchanged. Last year, educational materials outsold all other books in Finland, with sales exceeding €80 million compared to €75 million for general literature.

Market challenges: declining student numbers and textbook recycling

Despite the earnings potential, the market faces pressures. Declining student populations and municipal budget cuts have reduced demand, while textbook recycling—though environmentally beneficial—lowers sales and, according to the Finnish Publishers Association, may exacerbate educational inequality by limiting access to updated materials.

Sakari Laiho, director of the Finnish Publishers Association, emphasised the uniqueness of the educational market: “Unlike general literature, we know the exact customer base—every student needs these materials.” However, he noted that shifts in student numbers and policy changes, such as curriculum updates, directly impact authors’ incomes.