The relationship between EU residents and books seems to be a mixed bag, with almost half of them not reading a single complete book in a year. A Eurostat study revealed that nearly 47.2% of EU citizens have not picked up a book in twelve months, with countries like Romania, Cyprus, and Italy having some of the lowest reading rates. On the other hand, countries like Ireland, Finland, Sweden, and France have a higher percentage of residents who read ten or more books in a year. Luxembourg, Denmark, and Estonia have the highest proportion of citizens who read at least one book per year.
Interestingly, the study showed that the younger generation, aged 16 to 29, are the most enthusiastic readers, with 60% of them reading at least one book annually. In contrast, the 65+ age group has the lowest reading rate at 47%. Furthermore, the study highlighted a significant difference in reading habits between men and women, with 60.5% of women reading books compared to only 44.5% of men.
According to a study conducted by the Federation of European Publishers, revenues from book sales in the EU and EEA are expected to reach approximately 23.9 billion euros in 2022, a 23.6% increase from the previous year. Despite “mixed results” in different countries, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Spain saw the highest turnover. In 2022 alone, around 575,000 new titles were published, indicating a thriving book market in the region.
Overall, while a significant portion of EU residents may not read books regularly, there is still a strong market for literature in the region. The younger generation, in particular, shows a keen interest in reading, which could bode well for the future of the book industry in the EU. With continued support for literacy and access to a variety of titles, the love for books among EU residents may see a resurgence in the years to come.
