New research shows children’s reading enjoyment has plummeted to worst level in almost two decades: What does it mean for our future workforce?

Our latest research, published today, reveals a stark reality: only 1 in 3 ?8-18-year-olds ?enjoy reading in their free time, the lowest level since our surveys began nearly 20 years ago. ?The drastic decline signals an urgent need to ensure reading for pleasure becomes a national priority.?

When children enjoy reading in their free time their reading skills, aptitude for learning, wellbeing, empathy and confidence benefit, all of which support attainment and future career success. ?In fact, twice as many children who enjoy reading have above average reading skills compared to children who don’t enjoy reading (34.2% vs 15.7%).

Economic and societal impact?

The effects of low literacy are far-reaching. Economic research by WPI Strategy for the National Literacy Trust and British Land reveals that supporting daily reading habits in children could generate significant long-term economic benefits, potentially adding ￡4.6 billion to the UK’s GDP annually. Increasing reading enjoyment and access to books translates into better GCSE results and improved career prospects, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.?

But our data shows that the steepest declines in reading enjoyment are among secondary school students. Just 30.7% of those aged 11-14 and 29.7% of those aged 14-16 report enjoying reading in their free time. This downward trend highlights the need to support reading habits at secondary school, where pressures on time and competing interests often grow.? ?

Collaborative action: Vision for Literacy Business Pledge??

We can’t solve this crisis alone. We’re calling for a government-backed reading taskforce to unite schools, libraries, charities, businesses, and policymakers in a coordinated effort to promote reading for pleasure.??

Businesses can support our mission by joining the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge. Through becoming a signatory, companies take action to raise literacy levels across the UK by funding programmes, engaging their teams in volunteering opportunities, and supporting local communities.?

Your business would be joining a 109 strong cohort of organisations committed to tackling the nation’s literacy challenge and improving the skills of our future workforce. British Land is just one of the businesses leading the charge. They’ve supported our work since 2011 and have been a signatory of the pledge since its inception in 2015 - in that time they have reached 74,000 young people and donated 224,000 books, helping thousands of children experience the joy of reading.?

Our commitment: Empowering 1.5 million young readers?

Over the next three years, we will support and empower 1.5 million more children and young people from disadvantaged communities to read for pleasure and develop greater confidence in their reading skills. By expanding and deepening our work in schools and communities, we will strive to play a significant role in growing a generation of readers.?

Waterstones Children's Laureate 2024-2026, Frank Cottrell Boyce said:

"As Waterstones Children’s Laureate, I want to do everything in my power to get reading as a right for all into the national conversation. We know that children who read for pleasure, and children who are read to, gain all kinds of benefits. From increased vocabulary to vastly improved mental wellbeing. But today's survey shows that too often as a nation we are withholding those benefits from our children. Over the last nineteen years, enjoyment of reading has dropped by almost a third. These benefits are becoming a kind of invisible privilege. This has gone on long enough. The bad news is that we are at risk of losing a generation. The good news is that the solution is in our hands.”

With collective dedication, we can turn the page on reading enjoyment and secure the futures of a generation. Join us to #GrowAGenerationOfReaders.?