A recent report by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reveals a concerning trend in South Korea's reading habits. Approximately six out of ten adults read less than one book per year, marking the lowest figure since the government began tracking this data in 1994. The study, conducted on 5,000 adults and 2,400 students, indicates a steady decline in reading rates among adults since 1994, with only 32.3 percent reporting reading at least one paper book per year in the most recent survey.
The decline is particularly noticeable among older adults, with only 15.7 percent of those aged 60 and above reporting reading at least one book annually. Conversely, younger demographics show higher reading rates, with 74.5 percent of those aged 19-29 reporting reading a book in the surveyed year.
Income disparities also play a role, as individuals with lower incomes are less likely to read. The report highlights that only 9.8 percent of adults earning 2 million won or less per month read at least one book per year, compared to 54.7 percent of those earning 5 million won or more.
Reasons cited for not reading include lack of time due to work commitments and reliance on smartphones and other digital media. However, students maintain relatively high reading rates, with over 90 percent reading at least one book per year consistently. On average, South Korean students read about 36 books annually, spending significant time reading both during weekdays and weekends.
Despite efforts to promote reading, including the inclusion of e-books in surveys since 2013, South Korea's adult population continues to show a decline in reading habits. The report suggests that addressing factors such as time constraints and digital distractions may be crucial in reversing this trend.