Record Low Numbers of Children Engaging in Free-time Reading: Literacy Survey Shows

November 5, 2024 TruthUSA

Research indicates that demanding school curricula and high academic expectations are leaving children with limited time to read for pleasure in their free time.

According to figures from the National Literacy Trust, the number of children enjoying reading in their free time has reached a record low.

Only one in three children (34.6 percent) reported that they enjoyed reading in their spare time, showing an 8.8 percent decrease in figures from the previous year.

Just over 20 percent of respondents aged 8 to 18 years old indicated that they read something daily in their free time, the lowest level recorded since 2005.

These statistics have prompted an urgent appeal from the National Literacy Trust, calling on the government to implement an action plan to combat the declining rates.

The charity emphasized the importance of making reading for pleasure a national priority.

Jonathan Douglas, the charity’s chief executive, stated, “So many families, schools, libraries, charities, publishers, businesses, and more, are already inspiring children’s reading in diverse and innovative ways. But to truly prioritize reading for pleasure on a national level, we must unite our efforts, amplify our influence, strengthen our impact, and rethink solutions to this complex crisis.”

Research from the National Literacy Trust indicates that the busy curriculum and high academic expectations are major factors contributing to the decline in children’s reading for pleasure.

The recent pandemic and ongoing cost-of-living crisis are also seen as exacerbating factors, making it difficult for many children to access quality reading materials.

Gender, Age, and Socio-Economic Gaps

The decline in reading rates poses a challenge nationwide, with some regions showing worse results than others.

Areas such as the South East, East Midlands, and East of England have the lowest percentage of children and young people who report enjoying reading.

In contrast, better numbers were seen in the West Midlands and Greater London, where more children expressed enjoyment of reading in their free time.

The survey revealed gender and age gaps in the responses from young readers.

More girls (40.5 percent) than boys (28.2 percent) indicated that they enjoy reading, with the gap nearly tripling between 2023 and 2024.

Although the gender gap in reading frequency remained consistent, the percentage of boys reading daily hit a record low of 17.5 percent.

Analysis by age groups highlighted a “particular crisis” for secondary school students.

The percentage of 8-11-year-olds reporting reading enjoyment dropped from 56.2 to 51.9 percent, while the decrease was more than twice as much in older kids aged 11-14.

Additionally, daily reading levels for 14-16-year-olds saw a significant decline of 10.9 percentage points.

The survey described the declining levels of reading enjoyment and frequency as “shocking and dispiriting.” It also compared reading enjoyment levels based on children’s socioeconomic backgrounds and whether they receive free school meals (FSM).

‘Losing a Generation’

Over the next three years, the National Literacy Trust aims to assist 1.5 million more children and young people from disadvantaged communities in developing a love for reading.

This includes providing parents and caregivers with resources to promote early language and literacy skills.

In response to the survey findings, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate, highlighted the benefits that children miss out on when they don’t read for pleasure, such as increased vocabulary and improved mental wellbeing.

He stated, “But today’s survey shows that too often as a nation we are withholding those benefits from our children. Over the last nineteen years, enjoyment of reading has dropped by almost a third. These benefits are becoming a kind of invisible privilege. This has gone on long enough. The bad news is that we are at risk of losing a generation. The good news is that the solution is in our hands.”

Among adults, engagement with reading is also lacking.

Respondents cited lack of free time as a significant factor preventing them from reading, along with difficulties focusing and spending excessive time on social media.

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