Fiction book reading by young people in the UK 2022

According to a survey held between January and March 2022, 52 percent of children and young people read printed fiction books outside of school at least once per month during that period, down slightly from the previous year. Whilst there remains a clear preference for printed books, digital engagement is growing, with 2022 marking the first time that the percentage of eight to 18-year-olds reading fiction on a screen rather than in paper form surpassed 25 percent.

Share of children and young people reading fiction books outside of school in the United Kingdom (UK) from November 2017 to March 2022, by format

Characteristic	On-screen	Print
Jan '22-Mar '22*	26.6%	52%
Jan '20-Mar '20	20.9%	54.7%
Jan '19-Mar '19	20.4%	54.6%
Nov '17-Mar '18	19.9%	59.5%

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Release date

2022

More information

Region

United Kingdom

Survey time period

November 2017 to March 2022*

Age group

8-18 years**

Special properties

school children who read non-fiction books at least once per month

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

*The source noted that the study was held from January to March 2022.
**Refers to 2022 survey. Participants in the 2017 to 2018 study were aged eight to 18, and aged nine to 18 in 2019 and 2020.

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