The Bookseller - News - Half of UK adults do not regularly read, according to 'worrying' new survey by The Reading Agency

The Reading State of the Nation survey was conducted with 2,003 UK nationally representative consumers. It has revealed that more than 27 million UK adults are missing out on the benefits of reading more, including reduced stress levels and improved focus.

This research follows the news of the recent What Kids Are Reading Report, which revealed that children are also reading fewer books for pleasure. That report showed that there has been a 4.4% decrease in the number of books read by children, and it was the first time in 16 years - with the exception of the first year of the pandemic - that a decline was recorded.

The Reading Agency's survey has also found that 15% of UK adults have never read regularly for pleasure, and 35% used to read but have stopped. Young adults face the most barriers to reading, according to the research, which is in line with the findings of the What Kids Are Reading Report that showed a "particularly acute" decline in reading among secondary school students.