Gen Z reading rates rise, debunking claims of decline

Recent commentary warned of a collapse in recreational reading among younger Americans, citing COVID, AI and social media as causes. New nationally representative surveys from 2020, 2022 and 2025, however, show a different picture. In 2025, 66% of Gen Z respondents identified as readers, a 14‑point increase from 2022, and 65% reported reading at least one print book in the past year, up from 59%.

The data highlight Gen Z’s multimodal habits – switching between print, e‑book and audiobook for the same title – and heavy use of platforms such as Wattpad, Webtoon, Kindle Unlimited, DC Universe Infinite and Marvel Comics online. A preference for “digital detox” makes printed books the top format, boosted by social sharing on Instagram and TikTok’s BookTok community. These findings align with Pew Research Center trends for the broader population, suggesting reading is evolving rather than dying.