Only 34.6% of children enjoy reading in their free time, survey reveals

A new survey paints a troubling picture for children’s literacy, showing that the reading habits of young people have reached their lowest levels in nearly 20 years. Conducted by the National Literacy Trust (NLT), the 2024 Annual Literacy Survey encompassed responses from over 76,000 children and young people aged 5 to 18, revealing an unprecedented drop in reading enjoyment and frequency.

Decline in reading enjoyment and frequency

The NLT’s report highlights a significant decrease in the number of children who report enjoying reading and who read daily in their leisure time. Only 34.6% of respondents aged 8 to 18 said they enjoy reading, marking an 8.8 percentage-point decline from last year. The percentage of children who read daily in their free time has also plummeted to 20.5%, the lowest rate recorded since the survey began in 2005, with a drop of 7.5 percentage points in the past year alone.

Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the NLT, expressed deep concern over these findings. Speaking to The Guardian, he noted, “With children and young people’s enjoyment of reading at an all-time low and high numbers leaving primary and secondary school without the reading skills they need to thrive, the futures of a generation are being put at risk.”

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Impact on future literacy and education

The report analyzes the responses by age, gender, socio-economic background, and region, pointing to an especially stark decline among boys. The waning interest in reading poses significant risks for future educational outcomes and overall literacy rates.

“For a report focused largely on reading enjoyment, much of this is not an enjoyable read,” the survey authors noted, underscoring the “shocking and dispiriting” nature of the decline.

The implications of these trends

Educators and policymakers are increasingly worried about the implications of these trends. The reduction in reading for pleasure is linked to poorer educational attainment, weaker cognitive development, and diminished language skills, which can impact long-term success and social mobility.

The NLT’s report serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for initiatives that reignite a passion for reading among children, ensuring that they gain essential skills for their future growth and achievement.