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One for the books, in a bad way: Adult reading rates hit new low over past year

Published: 06 Mar. 2026, 15:23

KIM JU-YEON
[email protected]

A person reads a book at a bookstore in Seoul on Nov. 13, 2025. [YONHAP]

Fewer than 40 percent of Korean adults read or listened to at least one book over the past year, a government survey showed on Friday, marking a new low in the adult reading rate as people spent more time on work and other media.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has collected data every two years on the reading rate, defined as the share of people who read or listen to at least one book — printed, digital or audio — excluding textbooks, exam preparation materials, magazines and comics.

The survey polled 5,000 adults aged 19 and older and 2,400 students from fourth grade in elementary school through high school on their reading habits from September 2024 to August 2025.

The rate stood at 38.5 percent among all adults, down 4.5 percentage points from 2023 and the lowest since the survey began in 2015. The average number of books read was 2.4, down 1.5 books.

The reading rate for only printed books among all adults was at its lowest at 28.8 in 2015, before the government included digital formats in its survey, which has been conducted since 1994.

People read at Asia Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, as part of the district's outdoor library campaign on Oct. 23, 2025. [YONHAP]

That was not the case for younger adults, who visited book fairs, read late into the night at outdoor libraries and took part in trends such as book exchanges and transcription, reflecting growing interest in reading, the ministry said.

Among people in their 20s, 75.3 percent read or listened to at least one book, up 0.8 percentage points from 2023.

Students maintained far higher reading levels than adults, though the rate slipped slightly from the previous survey. About 94.6 percent of students said they had read or listened to at least one book over the past year, down 1.2 percentage points from 2023.

Digital formats also continued to reshape reading habits, particularly among younger people. Among those in their 20s, the e-book reading rate reached 59.4 percent, above the 45.1 percent who read printed books, suggesting a broader shift toward digital reading.

Audiobooks also gained popularity, with listening rates rising across all age groups under 60.

A customer chooses a book at a bookstore in Seoul on Nov. 13, 2025. [YONHAP]

More adults said they read for fun than in previous years, with 20.3 percent citing that reason, followed by 18.5 percent who read for self-improvement. Earlier surveys showed acquiring knowledge and information as the top reason in 2019 and 2021, respectively, and emotional comfort in 2023.

Still, many said they struggled to find time to read. Both adults and students cited work or school commitments as the main barrier, while 24.3 percent of adults and 19.1 percent of students said they instead spent time on other media and content.

Large gaps in reading habits also persisted across age and income groups. Only 14.4 percent of people aged 60 and older read or listened to at least one book last year, compared to 75.3 percent among those in their 20s.

Income disparities were also pronounced. Among households earning 2 million won ($1,400) or less per month, the reading rate stood at 13.4 percent, compared to 56.1 percent among those earning 5 million won or more.

The Culture Ministry vowed to promote reading through a national campaign, expand workplace and community reading programs and support the production and access of digital books such as e-books and audiobooks.

“Books remain a valuable asset that helps people develop the ability to think in the age of AI," an official said through the ministry's release. "Through this year’s campaign, the ministry will encourage people to take part in a variety of reading activities in their daily lives.”

BY KIM JU-YEON [[email protected]]