America is in a reading crisis.
New data on book reading shows that reading is on the decline.
Here are 12 scary stats that we need to stop:
New data on book reading shows that reading is on the decline.
Here are 12 scary stats that we need to stop:
A recent report from Gallup found that every category of readers are reading less: men, women, college graduates, non-college graduates, old people, and young people.
Americans are reading 3 fewer books per year.
Down from 15.2 books a year to 12.6.
Americans are reading 3 fewer books per year.
Down from 15.2 books a year to 12.6.
College graduates read an average of about 6 fewer books in 2021, falling from 21.1 books to 14.6.
The average U.S. woman read about 4 fewer books, down from 19.3 to 15.7 books.
Americans aged 55+ read almost 5 fewer books, down from 16.7 to 12.
The average U.S. woman read about 4 fewer books, down from 19.3 to 15.7 books.
Americans aged 55+ read almost 5 fewer books, down from 16.7 to 12.
Between 2002 and 2016, about 50% of college grads read more than 10 books in a year. In 2021, that number fell to 35%.
Adults who read 10 or more books fell from 34% to 24%.
Women who read 10 or more books fell from 41% to 32%.
Adults who read 10 or more books fell from 34% to 24%.
Women who read 10 or more books fell from 41% to 32%.
The number of Americans that named reading as their favorite way to spend their evening fell by halfβfrom 12% in 2016 to 6% in 2020.
About 50% of American adults read 0 books for pleasure.
About 50% of American adults read 0 books for pleasure.
Today, Americans spend about only 17 minutes per day reading compared to 3 HOURS of watching television per day.
Younger Americans (ages 15-44) spend even less time reading per day, about 10 minutes per day.
Younger Americans (ages 15-44) spend even less time reading per day, about 10 minutes per day.
As of 2017, a majority of students at the 4th, 8th-, and 12th-grade levels failed to demonstrate proficiency in reading.
Bookstores are in trouble as well.
In 1992 there were 13,136 brick-and-mortar bookstores. By 2016 that number had fallen to an all-time low of 6,448 stores.
Bookstores are in trouble as well.
In 1992 there were 13,136 brick-and-mortar bookstores. By 2016 that number had fallen to an all-time low of 6,448 stores.
So what can you do to combat this reading situation?
Simple:
1) Buy a book.
2) Set a goal to read for 15 minutes tonight.
3) If you have kids, have a family reading night together.
Simple:
1) Buy a book.
2) Set a goal to read for 15 minutes tonight.
3) If you have kids, have a family reading night together.
Sources:
WSJ: wsj.com/articles/stop-β¦
American Academy of Arts & Sciences: amacad.org/news/new-evideβ¦
WSJ: wsj.com/articles/stop-β¦
American Academy of Arts & Sciences: amacad.org/news/new-evideβ¦
TL;DR:
-Americans are reading 3 fewer books per year.
-College grads are reading 6 fewer books per year.
-Women are reading 4 fewer books per year.
-Adults 55+ are reading 5 fewer books per year.
-Half of adults read 0 books per year.
Let's change that. Pick up a book today.
-Americans are reading 3 fewer books per year.
-College grads are reading 6 fewer books per year.
-Women are reading 4 fewer books per year.
-Adults 55+ are reading 5 fewer books per year.
-Half of adults read 0 books per year.
Let's change that. Pick up a book today.
β’ β’ β’
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