:
Reading Declines in US: A Concerning Trend
The number of Americans who read for pleasure has fallen by 40% between 2003 and 2023, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Florida and University College London. Daily reading for reasons other than work or study decreased by approximately 3% each year during that period. In 2004, 28% of Americans reported reading for pleasure, a figure that dropped to 16% in 2023. The data was collected from over 236,000 Americans who participated in the American Time Use Survey and published in the journal iScience.
Jill Sonke, a study co-author, described the decline as “a sustained, steady decline” and “deeply concerning.” She emphasized that “Reading has historically been a low-barrier, high-impact way to engage creatively and improve quality of life,” and that losing this tool is a “serious loss.”
the decline in reading was observed across all demographics, but was more meaningful among Black Americans, individuals with lower incomes or education levels, and those living in rural areas. The study also found that women continue to read for enjoyment at higher rates than men.
Daisy fancourt, another study co-author, noted that “Potentially the people who could benefit the most for their health – so people from disadvantaged groups – are actually benefiting the least.”
While the study showed a decline in reading, it also found that those who do read for pleasure tend to spend more time reading than in the past, and the number of parents reading with their children has remained stable.
researchers attribute the decline to factors such as the rise of digital culture, limited access to reading materials, economic insecurity, and a decrease in leisure time. Sonke explained,”Our digital culture is certainly part of the story… If you’re working multiple jobs or dealing with transportation barriers in a rural area,a trip to the library may just not be feasible.”
Despite the decline in reading,sales of physical books saw a slight increase in 2023 after two years of decreases,with adult fiction,especially Kristin Hannah’s The Women,driving the growth.
Currently, the literacy rate in the US is estimated to be 79%, ranking 36th globally.
