Related Articles
-Editorial
Daily reading for pleasure in the United States has declined steadily over the past two decades, with widening gaps between racial, educational, and income groups, according to a new analysis of federal time-use data. The study highlights long-term trends in reading habits and underscores the need for targeted strategies to expand adults’ access to reading.
Researchers analyzed responses from more than 236,000 participants in the American Time Use Survey between 2003 and 2023. The survey captures how Americans spend their time over 24 hours, providing detailed information on daily behaviors, including reading for personal interest and reading with children. The analysis excluded data from 2020 due to methodological disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study found that the proportion of Americans reading for pleasure on an average day fell from about 28% in 2004 to 16% in 2023, a decline of roughly 3% per year. Reading for pleasure encompasses books, magazines, newspapers, e-books, and audiobooks, and excludes reading required for work or school. While the number of daily readers declined, those who did read spent more time doing so, averaging 1 hour and 37 minutes per day in 2023, up from 1 hour and 23 minutes in 2003.
Reading habits varied significantly across population groups. Women, older adults, people with higher education, and those in higher-income households were more likely to read daily. White participants were more likely to read than Black participants, with disparities increasing over time. By 2023, Black adults were about half as likely as White adults to read for pleasure on an average day. Education showed the largest differences: adults with postgraduate degrees were nearly three times as likely to read daily as those with a high school education or less. Income also influenced reading rates, and residents of metropolitan areas were slightly more likely to read than those in rural areas.
Reading with children remained low throughout the study period. In 2023, only 2% of adults reported reading with children on an average day, a figure that remained largely unchanged from previous years. Most reading occurred at home and was done alone, with the share of reading outside the home declining slightly over time.
The findings highlight ongoing challenges in promoting reading among adults. Researchers noted that digital media, social media, and other forms of entertainment may compete for attention and leisure time, potentially contributing to declines in reading for pleasure. While reading has well-documented benefits for literacy, creativity, empathy, mental health, and cognitive function, these benefits may be unevenly distributed due to disparities in access and engagement.
Experts say the results underscore the importance of initiatives aimed at increasing reading opportunities for groups showing the largest declines, including Black adults, those with lower education or income, and residents of non-metropolitan areas. Libraries, cultural programs, and community outreach efforts are likely to play a key role in addressing these gaps.
Researchers also stressed the importance of continued monitoring. “Understanding who reads, how often, and under what circumstances is essential for developing effective policies and programs,” the study said. The data provide a detailed view of U.S. reading patterns over two decades and offer insight into long-term trends that may affect literacy, educational outcomes, and cultural participation.
While the study did not examine reasons for the decline, experts have cited school-related reading fatigue, time constraints, and the rise of digital media as potential factors. The authors suggest that future research should explore the impact of different types of reading, including fiction, nonfiction, and digital formats, as well as the role of reading in promoting health, stress reduction, and social connection.
