Half of UK adults do not read regularly according to 'worrying' new survey by The Reading Agency

Half of UK adults don’t regularly read and almost one in four (24%) young people aged 16 to 24 say they’ve never been readers according to research released by The Reading Agency.

The Reading State of the Nation survey 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.

This research follows the news of the recent What Kids Are Reading Report, which revealed that children are also reading fewer books for pleasure. That report showed that there has been a 4.4% decrease in the number of books read by children, and it was the first time in 16 years — with the exception of the first year of the pandemic — that a decline was recorded.

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. Young adults face the most barriers to reading, according to the research, which is in line with the findings of the What Kids Are Reading Report that showed a "particularly acute" decline in reading among secondary school students.

Lack of time (33%) and the distraction of social media (20%) have been identified as two of the primary obstacles to reading. Moreover, 11% of adults report finding reading difficult — a figure that doubles among young people aged 16 to 24 — and 30% of UK adults say that they struggle to finish what they’re reading. Attention is an issue overall, with 28% of UK adults saying they have difficulty focusing on reading for more than a few minutes.

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, c.e.o. 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."

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.”

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. “There are so many benefits gained from reading, but access can’t be taken for granted. Help is out there from accessible Quick Reads to support at your local library," Napier added.

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.