Half of all adults in the UK don’t read regularly for pleasure, and 1 in 6 – that’s 8.5 million – struggle to read at all.

The Reading State of the Nation Survey published today by The Reading Agency was conducted with 2,003 UK nationally representative consumers. It has revealed that more than 27 million UK adults are missing out on the benefits of reading more, including reduced stress levels and improved focus.

The Reading Agency’s survey has also found that 15% of UK adults have never read regularly for pleasure, and 35% used to read but have stopped. 

Key Findings

Fewer People are Reading for Pleasure

The data reveals a large decrease in in the number of people reading regularly with only half of the nation (50%) now reading regularly for pleasure, down from 58% in 2015. Among young people aged 16-24, a quarter have never been regular readers, and 44% of this group are now considered ‘lapsed readers’.

Barriers to Reading

Low reading confidence is a common barrier, with 11% finding reading ‘always’ or ‘usually’ difficult, rising to 22% among young adults. Nearly 3 in 10 people struggle to finish what they read (30%) or focus on reading for more than a few minutes (28%).

Quick Reads is bridging the gap in adult literacy with accessible and affordable stories for everyone. 

Lack of time (33%) and the distraction of social media (20%) have been identified as two of the primary obstacles to reading. Attention is an issue overall, with 28% of UK adults saying they have difficulty focusing on reading for more than a few minutes.

What’s Stopping People from Reading?

Non-readers say lack of enjoyment and difficulty finding interesting content are major barriers. Lapsed readers attribute their decline to life events, health issues, and time spent on social media.

Despite these findings, the majority of respondents (59%) said that there are things they want to read. "Lack of time is the biggest barrier to UK adults reading more, which makes the summer holidays the perfect opportunity to take time out and read," said Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency. "We would encourage anyone who hasn’t picked up a book or audiobook in a while, or who may have lost their confidence, to use this summer break to kickstart their reading habit."

Benefits of Reading

Regular readers report higher wellbeing and life satisfaction compared to lapsed and non-readers. They also benefit from improved sleep, concentration, empathy, and creativity. 

Broadcaster and ambassador for The Reading Agency, Lorraine Kelly, commented: “The Reading Agency’s new research shows a worrying trend: fewer and fewer adults are reading for pleasure. As an author, I’ve seen firsthand how stories can change lives, spark imaginations and create connections. The Reading Agency is dedicated to helping every adult access these benefits to create a society where everyone can thrive.”

Download the full report to discover more.

The charity’s Quick Reads are available for £1 at bookshops and are free to borrow from libraries. The Reading Agency also delivers Reading Ahead, a scheme which engages people in "the joy of reading", as well as the Road to Reading, a programme to get people reading for 30 minutes or more for a 10-week period. 

If you're looking for other reading recommendations outside of Quick Reads, check out our LoveReading Shorter Reads section and highly recommended reads for Young Adults (and old ones too). We are big fans of Young Adult Fiction here at LoveReading.

And of course if you are looking for easier reads, try diving into the incredible fiction for younger people on our sister website LoveReading4Kids. There are brilliant books being published and if you need a reason to do so, read Katherine Rundell's little book of joy about Why You Should Read Children's Books Even You Are So Old and Wise.

The Reading Agency plans to release additional reports in the coming months, focusing on attitudes towards reading and the advantages of becoming a regular reader. 

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