Americans’ Reading Habits Stable Since 2011
Most American adults read a book (or part of one) in the past year, according to a new study survey From Pew Research Center.
- 📘 print books maintain a wide lead. 64% of respondents reported reading a printed book, while 31% read e-books and 26% read audio books.
- 💃 more women compared to men Read a book last year, but the split – 78% women, 71% men – hardly supports the oft-repeated grumble about men’s reading habits.
- 🙋♂️ adults under 50 more likely Compared to older adults who report reading a book in the past year.
- 💬 book clubs are rare. Only 7% of American adults (10% women, 5% men) participated last year.
- motiv shakti readers unite: Only 14% of Americans read 20+ books in the past 12 months.
What to make of the fact that this data is in stark contrast to last year’s widely reported finding, which was reported by only 16% of Americans reading for pleasure?
Differences in survey design may be a factor.
- Pew asks yes/no questionsWhile the data reported last year was combined from several studies that asked participants to record how they actually spent their time over a specified period.
- Pew’s terminology casts a wide net. Adults aged 18–29 reported the highest rates of reading in the past year (78%), some of which may be due to school-assigned reading. Contrast this with the distinction of “reading for pleasure” in last year’s report.
- Pew sets a low bar. If you have read a book “Either or else” then you have to answer “yes” part of the way” (emphasis mine), so even minimal participation counts.
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The main thing seems to be that the numbers are fairly stable. Pew has been asking this question since 2011, and the percentage of Americans reporting reading some or all books in the past 12 months has remained stable in that time.
You can see more data Here.