This graph illustrates the results of a survey about the number of books read in the past 12 months in the United States since 1978*. In broad strokes, fewer people are reading books now than in 1978, but the data have fluctuated over time. In the first Gallup survey in the summer of 1978, 12 percent of adults said they had not read a book in the previous 12 months or refused to answer a question about book reading. In 2011, 19 percent of the Americans had not read a book in the previous 12 months.
Share of U.S. adults who say they have read this number of books in the past 12 months between 1978 and 2011
Characteristic
None
1-5 books
6-10 books
11-50 books
more than 50 books
Don't know/refused
12/2011
19%
32%
15%
26%
5%
3%
05/2005
16%
38%
14%
25%
6%
1%
12/2001
13%
38%
16%
23%
8%
1%
9/1999
13%
30%
16%
31%
7%
2%
12/1990
16%
32%
15%
27%
7%
3%
7/1978
8%
29%
17%
29%
13%
4%
0%25%50%75%100%125%
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* The data between 1978 and 2005 are based on the Gallup organization’s surveys, the data of 2011 are based on the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Reading Habits Survey. PEW survey: n=2,986 respondents age 16 and older
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Pew Research Center. (April 10, 2012). Share of U.S. adults who say they have read this number of books in the past 12 months between 1978 and 2011 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 03, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/222733/number-of-books-read-in-the-past-12-months-in-the-united-states/
Pew Research Center. "Share of U.S. adults who say they have read this number of books in the past 12 months between 1978 and 2011." Chart. April 10, 2012. Statista. Accessed April 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/222733/number-of-books-read-in-the-past-12-months-in-the-united-states/
Pew Research Center. (2012). Share of U.S. adults who say they have read this number of books in the past 12 months between 1978 and 2011. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/222733/number-of-books-read-in-the-past-12-months-in-the-united-states/
Pew Research Center. "Share of U.S. Adults Who Say They Have Read This Number of Books in The past 12 Months between 1978 and 2011." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 Apr 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/222733/number-of-books-read-in-the-past-12-months-in-the-united-states/
Pew Research Center, Share of U.S. adults who say they have read this number of books in the past 12 months between 1978 and 2011 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/222733/number-of-books-read-in-the-past-12-months-in-the-united-states/ (last visited April 03, 2025)
Share of U.S. adults who say they have read this number of books in the past 12 months between 1978 and 2011 [Graph], Pew Research Center, April 10, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/222733/number-of-books-read-in-the-past-12-months-in-the-united-states/
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