Some 47.2% of EU citizens didn’t read any books in 2022, new data from Eurostat has found, with the highest rate (52.9%) of non-readers among those aged 65 and older.
Book reading was highest among those aged between 16 and 29 years of age, with 60.2% of this cohort reading at least one book, the data showed, and 28.5% reading five books or more.
In the 30 to 54 age cohort, 28.6% read at least one book, and 24.9% read five books or more, while in the 55 to 64 cohort, 25.7% read at least one book, with 26.9% reading five books or more.
Among those who reported not reading books in the last 12 months, 2.4% cited a lack of access to books or affordability as the reason. The primary reason, reported by 51.3%, was a ‘lack of interest.
This trend was consistent across age groups, ranging from 47.8% to 58.0%, with the highest percentage among 16-29-year-olds.
‘Lack of time’
‘Lack of time’ was the second-most cited reason for the 16-29 (21.8%) and 30-54 (31.6%) age groups, while it was mentioned far less frequently by those over 65 years (6.4%).
Approximately 18.0% of the youngest respondents and 39.7% of the oldest stated other reasons for not reading books, suggesting that deteriorating vision or eyesight may be a contributing factor.
