Book reading habits in the U.S. vary by education, age and other factors
% of U.S. adults who say they have __ in the past 12 months
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: Those who did not answer or said that they did not read any books either all or part of the way through in the past 12 months are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race.
Note: Those who did not answer or said that they did not read any books either all or part of the way through in the past 12 months are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Oct. 6-16, 2025.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Book reading habits in the U.S. vary by education, age and other factors
% of U.S. adults who say they have __ in the past 12 months
| Population | Group | Read a book in any format | Read a print book | Read an e-book | Listened to an audiobook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | Total | 75 | 64 | 31 | 26 |
| Men | Gender | 71 | 60 | 28 | 24 |
| Women | Gender | 78 | 68 | 33 | 27 |
| White | Race | 77 | 67 | 30 | 27 |
| Black | Race | 69 | 57 | 27 | 25 |
| Hispanic | Race | 70 | 57 | 29 | 24 |
| Asian* | Race | 70 | 53 | 42 | 24 |
| Ages 18-29 | Age | 78 | 66 | 41 | 32 |
| 30-49 | Age | 76 | 64 | 33 | 33 |
| 50-64 | Age | 71 | 61 | 26 | 23 |
| 65+ | Age | 73 | 65 | 23 | 13 |
| H.S. or less | Educ | 60 | 50 | 20 | 17 |
| Some college | Educ | 78 | 67 | 30 | 27 |
| College+ | Educ | 88 | 76 | 42 | 35 |
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: Those who did not answer or said that they did not read any books either all or part of the way through in the past 12 months are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race.
Note: Those who did not answer or said that they did not read any books either all or part of the way through in the past 12 months are not shown. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Oct. 6-16, 2025.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
