The sharp decline in interest in reading books over the past twenty years is causing serious concern among international scientists. The number of people in the US who regularly read books, journals, or electronic publications has almost halved. This conclusion was highlighted in a recent study published in the journal “iScience”.
Researchers analyzed large-scale time-use surveys conducted by the US Census Bureau. These surveys, conducted between 2003 and 2023, included over 236,000 respondents aged 15 and older. According to the results, while nearly 27 percent of those surveyed in the early 2000s dedicated time to reading books or publications daily, by 2023 this figure had dropped to just 16 percent.
Jill Sonke, a scientist at the University of Florida, commented on this situation as follows:
“This is not a temporary change, but a steady decline of about 3 percent per year”.
At the same time, it was noted that those who have not given up reading are dedicating more time to it than before. If the average time 20 years ago was 1 hour 23 minutes per day, today it is 1 hour 37 minutes. Scientists call this process “polarization”: part of the population is becoming more devoted to books, while another part has completely stopped reading.
Experts explain the decline in interest in reading by the rise of digital entertainment, limited access to libraries, as well as economic difficulties and social factors reducing free time.
As scientists have emphasized, reading is not only a spiritual and cultural value but also an important factor for human health. Reading develops cognitive abilities, reduces stress levels, and even contributes to longevity.
Daisy Funckur, a professor at University College London, also commented on the issue, concluding:
“The disappearance of such a simple and accessible activity for everyone is a serious warning for society”.
