Children's participation in reading & writing activities in England 2008-2020, by age

Published by Statista Research Department, Oct 11, 2023

This statistic shows the share of children who participated in reading and writing activities in the last year in England, according to annual surveys conducted between 2008/09 and 2019/20. Over this period, levels of involvement in reading and writing activities have generally decreased. In 2019/20, around 81 percent of children aged 5-10 years took part in reading and writing activities.

Share of children who participated in reading and writing activities in the last year in England from 2008/09 to 2019/20, by age

Characteristic	5-10 years	11-15 years
2019/20	81.1%	82.6%
2018/19	83.7%	81.2%
2017/18	83.2%	87.8%
2016/17	85.6%	89.3%
2015/16	86.9%	93.5%
2014/15	83.9%	92.2%
2013/14	85.6%	92.5%
2012/13	89%	95.7%
2011/12	90.2%	94.6%
2010/11	90.5%	91.9%
2009/10	88.1%	94%
2008/09	87.7%	93.6%

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Release date

September 2020

More information

Region

United Kingdom (England)

Survey time period

2008/09 to 2019/20**

Number of respondents

1,454*

Age group

5-15 years

Method of interview

Face-to-face interview

Supplementary notes

* Base for 2019/20: 5-10 year olds: n= 834; 11-15 year olds: n= 620;
2018/19: 5-10 year olds: n= 999; 11-15 year olds: n= 645;
2017/18 5-10 year olds: n=909; 11-15 year olds: n= 671
2016/17: 5-10 year olds: n= 967; 11-15 year olds: n= 638.
2015/16: 5-10 year olds: n= 1096; 11-15 year olds: n= 684
2014/15: 5-10 year olds: n= 1,104; 10-15 year olds: n= 721.
2013/14: 5-10 year olds: n= 1233; 10-15 year olds n=786.
2012/13: 5-10 year olds: n= 1136; 10-15 year olds n=801.
2011/12: 5-10 year olds: n= 1040; 10-15 year olds n=771.
2010/11: 5-10 year olds: n= 1590; 10-15 year olds n=1116.
2009/10: 5-10 year olds: n= 1809; 10-15 year olds n=1350.
2008/09: 5-10 year olds: n= 1476; 10-15 year olds n=1146.

** Survey periods run April to March.

The source provides the following additional information: 'Data for 5-10 year olds relates to out of school activities only. Data for 11-15 years olds relates to activities undertaken both in and out of school.'
This statistic is using original data from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and includes copyright material from © Crown, licensed under the Open Government License v3.0

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