22/10/2026
A 2024 survey of children and young people aged 8–18 found a striking difference in reading habits between those who owned books and those who did not.
23.1% of children who owned a book read daily in their free time, compared with just 7.0% of those who did not.
38.7% of children who owned a book said they enjoyed reading, compared with 10.1% of those without a book of their own.
The findings are a reminder that access to books matters. Having a book of their own gives children an opportunity to explore stories, discover new interests and develop a relationship with reading beyond the classroom.
But this conversation extends beyond one survey or one country. Around the world, access to books and reading resources remains an important part of the wider literacy conversation.
Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading, regardless of where they live or their family’s financial circumstances.
We can come together to make books more accessible to children everywhere. Because a book can be more than something a child reads. It is the beginning of a lifelong love of learning.
