Childhood reading statistics 2025: a reference dataset
A citable dataset of children's reading habits in 2025 — reading enjoyment and daily reading rates from the National Literacy Trust — with a chart and sources.
How much do children actually read for pleasure, and is it changing? This reference gathers headline 2025 figures on children's reading, with their source, so they can be cited directly.
Headline figures (2025)
32.7%Enjoy reading in free time (ages 8–18)
18.7%Read something daily in free time
20-year lowReading enjoyment level
Reading enjoyment vs daily reading
| Measure | % |
|---|---|
| Enjoy reading | 32.7 % |
| Read daily | 18.7 % |
National Literacy Trust, ‘Children and young people’s reading in 2025’ (based on 114,970 responses, ages 5–18, early 2025).
The dataset
| Indicator | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Enjoy reading in free time (8–18) | 32.7% | Lowest in 20 years; down ~36% since 2005 |
| Read something daily in free time (8–18) | 18.7% | Lowest recorded; down ~20 pts since 2005 |
| Survey responses | 114,970 | Children aged 5–18, early 2025 |
| Steepest declines | Primary-aged children and boys 11–16 | Reported in the 2025 findings |
Why this matters for reading habits
- Reading enjoyment has fallen to its lowest level since the survey began in 2005.
- Only about one in five children reads daily for pleasure.
- The decline is steepest among younger children and boys — a clear place to focus support.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of children enjoy reading?
About 32.7% of 8–18s in the UK said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025 — the lowest in 20 years, per the National Literacy Trust.
How many children read daily?
Fewer than one in five (18.7%) of 8–18s reported reading something daily in their free time in 2025.
Sources
- National Literacy Trust, ‘Children and young people’s reading in 2025’ (based on 114,970 responses, ages 5–18, early 2025).
- For other countries, add comparable national reading surveys and cite each source and year.