Young People in France Are Reading Less and Less – A Worrying Trend

Paris – 10.06.2026: A newly published study by the Centre national du livre (CNL) demonstrates a concerning decrease in reading habits among French adolescents aged 7 to 19 years. The research, conducted in cooperation with the polling institute Ipsos BVA, shows that the time young people spend reading has drastically decreased compared to their intensive use of digital media.

According to the study, teenagers now spend on average only 18 minutes per day on leisure reading, while they spend more than three hours daily in front of screens. This trend is especially pronounced among 16- to 19-year-olds: more than one third of this age group no longer reads in their free time at all. This development contrasts sharply with the already existing offers and initiatives aimed at promoting reading.

Gender differences are also clearly evident: 86% of girls aged 7 to 12 read during their leisure time, whereas only 76% of boys the same age do so. With increasing age, this gap widens, as 91% of girls aged 16 to 19 still read regularly, compared to only 56% of boys.

The preferred genres among adolescents are comics, mangas, and novels. Despite a slight decline in overall reading activity, the diversity of reading interests remains limited, which may be attributable to the influence of digital media and changes in leisure habits.

In response to these alarming figures, the French Ministries of Culture and Education launched the “États généraux de la lecture pour la jeunesse” in 2025. This initiative aims to develop concepts that facilitate access to books and make reading more attractive for young people. These include programs in schools, libraries, and cultural institutions, as well as campaigns to promote a positive reading atmosphere.

The study also makes clear that many young people use digital media simultaneously while reading, which can negatively affect concentration and the quality of reading experiences. Experts warn that this may have long-term consequences for language comprehension and academic performance.

Against this background, promoting reading skills within French society gains importance. It remains crucial to find a balance between digital offerings and traditional reading formats in order to strengthen the cultural foundation and motivate young people to read more again. The coming years will reveal whether the measures initiated can halt this trend.