Australia Reads Research Review 2023
I want to kick off 2024 by being a portal to some wonderful research undertaken through Australia Reads (https://australiareads.org.au/). Some of my followers will already be all over this. For anyone discovering this for the first time – enjoy!
Australia Reads is a not-for-profit collaboration of the Australian Library and Information Association, the Australian Publishers Association, the Australian Society of Authors and the BookPeople. Australia Reads is assisted by the Australian Government (through RISE), the Office for the Arts and Creative Australia, along with the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
Australia Reads is on a mission to get more people reading more books, more often! We believe that reading is the key to a healthier, happier and more connected nation. As a champion for storytelling, Australia Reads promotes the positive impacts of books and reading on our society.
The Australia Reads Research Review Snapshot August 2023 is full of interesting and useful statistics on the power of reading. The data comes from a variety of national and international research sources conducted over the past 10 years, and consequently may on occasion appear to contradict other data. They also have some nice Social Tiles that libraries are using in their social media communications with members (Hello - Your Library, Randwick City Library). I want to share these in the hope that you might be able to use these somewhere in your advocacy for public libraries. I know I will be.
Every statistic quoted below is properly referenced in the Research Review Snapshot (https://australiareads.org.au/research-review/).
Young Readers
Three-year-olds who can name a favourite book are better readers at age seven.
Children who were exposed to more storybooks showed a greater inclination to read for pleasure and in turn, had more advanced literacy skills as adolescents.
Children who experience reading with a caregiver are more likely to read independently once their reading skills develop.
89% of children (age 6-17) agree their favourite books are the ones that they have picked out themselves.
86% of children (age 6-17) said they loved being read books aloud at home or liked it a lot – the main reason being because it is a special time with parents.
One in five parents of children aged 6–17 (20%) stopped reading aloud to their child before age 9, most often citing reasons related to their child being able to read independently.
Of those children aged 6–8 whose parents no longer read books aloud at home, half (51%) did not want their parents to stop.
Children aged 6–17 who are given time for independent reading at school are more likely to be reading currently and frequently, and are more likely to enjoy reading books for fun.
Children’s participation in reading for pleasure has been trending downwards, dropping from 79% in 2018 to 72% in 2022.
Teen Readers
Reading is four times more influential on intellectual progress in teens than having a parent with a degree.
The top barriers to teens reading were the difficulty of choosing a good book (61%), followed by lack of free time (56%).
More than 2 in 5 girls (44%) who don’t enjoy reading said they cannot find things to read that interest them.
Exposure to larger home libraries in adolescence has a positive direct effect on adult literacy, numeracy, and information and communications technology skills.
68% of young people said that BookTok had inspired them to read a book that they would have never considered otherwise.
Adult Readers
72% of Australians read at least one book in 2019.
Around 44% of Australians have low or very low literacy.
37% of Australians said they do not read because it is difficult to find the time.
Retirees are the most active participants in ‘reading’ (80%), followed by those who are in paid work (75%).
Women are more likely to read for pleasure than men (75% compared to 68%).
Respondents with no post-school qualifications had lower levels of reading participation than those with a university degree.
Reading and Health
48% of Australians say they are motivated to read because it makes them happy and/or healthy.
A 20% reduction in mortality was observed for those who read books (30 mins a day), compared to those who did not read books.
Adults who read books, magazines, and newspapers almost every day had a substantially lower risk of being diagnosed with depression. They also scored lower on the loneliness scale.
43% of readers said reading helps them get a better night’s sleep.
95% of people who are blind or partially sighted read at least once a week to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Reading for just 30 minutes a week means you’re 57% more likely to have a greater awareness of other cultures.
Reading Behaviour and Formats
More than half the library books borrowed in 2022 were penned by Australian authors.
Library loans increased 37% for book-to-screen adaptations.
Almost one in three Australians listen to audio books (31%).
37% of audiobook consumers started listening in the last 12 months.
More than half of Australians aged 15–34 years read e-books (55%).
The Australian graphic novel sector grew by 61% in 2020.
43% of Australian readers agree that family and friends are the most trusted source of reading recommendations.
