59 Reading Statistics and Facts You Should Know

The Fascinating World of Reading Statistics and Facts

Reading is a universal activity that offers countless benefits and insights into our world. By exploring the realm of reading statistics and facts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the impact and significance of reading in our lives. In this section, we will delve into why reading statistics matter and unveil 39 surprising reading statistics and facts that you should know.

Top 10 Key Statistics

1. Only 32% of the US population reads books for pleasure.
2. The average American reads only 12 books per year.
3. 42% of college graduates never read another book after college.
4. Reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by 68%.
5. Reading can increase empathy and emotional intelligence.
6. Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school.
7. Reading can improve sleep quality.
8. Reading can increase vocabulary and improve writing skills.
9. Reading can improve mental focus and concentration.
10. Reading can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Reading Habits and Literacy in the United States

• 20% of Americans read for pleasure every day.
• 27% of Americans read for pleasure several times a week.
• 16% of Americans read for pleasure once a week.
• 12% of Americans read for pleasure once a month.
• 6% of Americans read for pleasure less than once a month.
• 19% of Americans never read for pleasure.
• The average American reads 12 books per year.
• 65% of Americans have not read a book in the past year.
• 80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
• 42% of college graduates never read another book after college.
• 70% of Americans have not been in a bookstore in the past five years.
• 80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
• 60% of US public school students do not read at grade level.
• 85% of juvenile offenders have reading problems.
• 75% of Americans who receive food stamps read at the two lowest levels of literacy.
• 50% of adults cannot read a book written at an eighth-grade level.
• 44% of American adults do not read a book in a year.

Average Reading Statistics

• The average adult reads between 200 to 400 words per minute.
• The average American spends only 19 minutes a day reading.
• The average number of books read by adults over the age of 65 is higher than any other age group at around 20 books per year.
• Men tend to read non-fiction books more often than women.
• Women tend to read more novels and fiction books than men.
• In the United States, the most commonly read book genres are mystery/thriller, science fiction/fantasy, and romance.
• The most popular time of day for reading is before bed, with over 50% of readers choosing this time to pick up a book.
• E-books make up about one quarter (25%) of all book sales in the United States as of 2021.
• Audiobooks have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with sales increasing by nearly 25% from 2019 to 2020.
• On average, readers who use an e-reader or tablet device tend to read for longer periods of time compared to those who read print books.

How Many Books Do People Read Per Year?

• The average number of books read by adults in the US is 12 per year.
• In the UK, the average number of books read per year is 10.
• On average, women tend to read more books than men.
• Adults over the age of 65 tend to read more books than any other age group.
• In a survey conducted in 2020, 37% of respondents reported reading between one and five books per year.
• Another survey conducted in the same year found that 35% of respondents had read between six and ten books in the past twelve months.
• In a survey focused on children's reading habits, it was found that kids aged 6-17 years old reported reading an average of nine books per year.
• A study conducted in India found that adults there read an average of just under four books per year.
• People who identify as avid readers report reading anywhere from 50 to over 100 books per year.
• Finally, research has shown that setting a goal for how many books to read each year can help increase reading frequency and overall enjoyment.

Book Purchasing and Reading Statistics

• 6 out of 10 households do not buy a single book in a year.
• 70% of people who visit a bookstore pick up a book but do not buy it.

Diversity in the Publishing Industry

• 80% of the books published in the US are written by white authors.
• 80% of the books published in the US are written by men.
• 60% of the books published in the US are written by authors living in New York or California.
• 90% of the books published in the US never sell more than 100 copies.

Literacy Statistics

• 50% of US adults cannot read a book written at an eighth-grade level.
• 20% of US adults cannot read a book written at a fifth-grade level.
• 30 million adults in the US cannot read above a third-grade level.
• 85% of the juvenile offenders who appear in court are functionally illiterate.
• 70% of inmates in US prisons cannot read above a fourth-grade level.
• 75% of people on welfare cannot read above a ninth-grade level.

Literacy and Welfare

• 90% of high school dropouts are on welfare.
• 50% of adults with the lowest literacy rates live in poverty.
• 3 out of 4 food stamp recipients perform in the lowest 2 literacy levels.
• 75% of people on welfare cannot read above a ninth-grade level.

Literacy and Incarceration

• 90% of high school dropouts are functionally illiterate.
• 75% of state prison inmates did not complete high school.
• 85% of juveniles who interact with the court system are functionally illiterate.
• 60% of America's prison inmates are illiterate.
• 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems.
• 70% of inmates in US prisons cannot read above a fourth-grade level.

Literacy Levels in the United States

• 20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage.
• 50% of adults cannot read a book written at an eighth-grade level.
• 20% of adults cannot read a book written at a fifth-grade level.
• 30 million adults in the US cannot read above a third-grade level.
• 3 out of 4 food stamp recipients perform in the lowest 2 literacy levels.
• 20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage.
• 50% of adults cannot read a book written at an eighth-grade level.
• 20% of adults cannot read a book written at a fifth-grade level.
• 30 million adults in the US cannot read above a third-grade level.
• 85% of the juvenile offenders who appear in court are functionally illiterate.
• 70% of inmates in US prisons cannot read above a fourth-grade level.

Reading and Technology

• 91% of Americans aged 18-29 read books in some format (print, audio, or electronic).
• E-books make up about one quarter (25%) of all book sales in the United States as of 2021.
• The number of audiobook listeners in the US increased by nearly 25% from 2019 to 2020.
• In a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 27% of Americans reported that they had not read a physical book in the past year.
• A survey conducted by Statista found that e-book readership is highest among people aged 30 to 49 years old.
• According to a study conducted by the American Library Association, almost all public libraries now offer e-books and other digital content to their patrons.
• Amazon's Kindle is the most popular e-reader in the United States, with a market share of over 80% as of 2021.
• Overdrive, an online platform that provides access to e-books and audiobooks through public libraries, reported that it saw record-breaking usage numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

Reading is a crucial skill that has numerous benefits, from reducing stress levels to increasing empathy and emotional intelligence. However, the statistics presented in this article show that many Americans are not reading as much as they should be, with only 32% of the population reading books for pleasure. Furthermore, literacy rates in the United States are shockingly low, with 50% of adults unable to read a book written at an eighth-grade level.

It is clear that more needs to be done to encourage people to read and improve literacy rates across the country. By setting goals for how many books to read each year and making reading a daily habit, we can all take steps towards becoming more knowledgeable, empathetic individuals who are better equipped to succeed in life.

Sources:

• "Reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by 68%." (Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735812000595)
• "Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school." (Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264013913_The_Importance_of_Reading_to_Children)
• "Reading can improve sleep quality." (Source: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/can-cuddling-book-help-you-sleep-better)
• "Reading can increase vocabulary and improve writing skills." (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3868356/)

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