Benefits of Reading

It has been shown that reading books can develop stronger reading habits and improve literacy skills more efficiently than through formal education. The positive impacts of reading are significant, adding great value to society overall.

This is the most comprehensive guide on the positive impacts of reading on people and society. We’ve organized it into several major topics, and if you’re interested in a particular one, please use the following list to navigate the page:

• Benefits of everyday reading
• Health benefits of reading
• Social impact of books and reading
• Benefits of reading for adults, the elderly, and babies
• Benefits of reading different formats and genres
• Reading over gaming and watching TV

Benefits of reading every day

Reading every day can provide numerous advantages to individuals who are able to do so over a prolonged period of time. Alongside other benefits, reading allows learners to develop their cognitive abilities, grow their knowledge and enrich their vocabulary.

• 15 minutes of daily reading can make people feel 69% more accomplished, 55% more relaxed and 33% happier.
• 30 minutes of reading can lower heart rate, blood pressure and reduce feelings of psychological distress.
• A further study found that stress levels can be decreased by 68% by reading for just 6 minutes a day.
• Compared to non-readers, regular readers have on average been found to have around a 50% increase in both vocabulary and fact-based knowledge.
• Seniors who read every day saw their cognitive functions improve over a 6 month period.
• Achieving good grades at the age of 16 can be increased by 90% from just 10 minutes of reading every day.
• Although daily reading habits often decrease as teenagers become older, they are able to read for longer periods of time.
• A daily reading habit can increase a student’s likelihood of graduating by 22%.
• 44% of US adult readers read for fun each day.
• To hit a daily target of an hour with books, most people would just have to reduce their screen time by a third.

How daily reading affects learning

A daily reading habit can encourage continuous learning in readers, stimulating their minds and keeping them receptive to new sources of information.

• Students who read for 20 minutes daily are exposed to around 1.8 million words annually.
• On standardized tests, they are more likely to score in the 90th percentile.
• Even reading 1 million words annually can put children in the top 2% of readers for their age.
• Children whose parents read to them frequently are 3 times more likely to be frequent readers themselves.
• Daily teacher read-alouds can increase the amount of time that students spend silently reading to themselves.
• Daily read-alouds can also increase the enjoyment of silent reading.
• 77% of children and teenagers believe summer reading will help them during the school year.
• Over 80% of teenagers do not read for pleasure on a daily basis.
• The 8-12 age group average screen times of over 4.5 hours but only 29% read books for fun daily.

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Student reading growth from reading every day

• Less than 15 minutes of daily engaged reading time is shown to have a negative effect on a student’s reading growth. 
• However, a minimum of 15 minutes daily engaged reading time is shown to have a positive effect on a student’s reading growth.
• The biggest gains were seen from students that read for between 35 and 64 minutes.

Engaged reading time	Student reading growth (normal curve equivalent gain)
1 to 4 minutes	– 0.85
5 to 14 minutes	– 0.15
15 to 24 minutes	+ 0.31
25 to 34 minutes	+ 0.44
35 to 44 minutes	+ 0.48
45 to 54 minutes	+ 0.48
55 to 64 minutes	+ 0.48
65 minutes +	+ 0.38

A graph is given below to show how daily reading time affects student reading growth (normal curve equivalent gain):

How many people read every day?

With the growing impact and popularity of social media, video games and other other entertainment platforms, book reading as a hobby has faced additional competition in the battle for people’s attention spans.

Online users

• A 2017 survey of online users (aged 15 and over) found that 30% read books either every day or most days.
• By including once a week readers, this figure jumps to 60%.
• Of the countries analyzed, China was found to have the highest percentage of everyday book readers (36%).

US readers

• As of 2021, 17.90% of US Citizens (aged 15 and over) read every day.
• Over the given period, the share of US Citizens that read every day declined by 13.53%.
• Only two years in the given data showed an increase in the share of US Citizens who read every day over the previous reported period, 2014 and 2019.

How much does the average person read every day?

As people began spending an increased amount of time on other forms of entertainment with the introduction of new technologies, average times spent reading have steadily declined.

• As of 2021, the average US Citizen (aged 15 and over) spent 16 minutes and 48 seconds reading for pleasure during a typical day.
• Over the given period, the average daily reading time for US Citizens dropped by 15.15%.
• Only two years in the given data showed an increase in average daily reading time over the previous reported period, 2019 and 2021.

How long should you read a day?

With mental and physical health benefits, the hobby of reading is a great way to spend leisure time. Despite this, there are still recommended guidelines to the amount of time a person should spend on the activity.

• Although there isn’t a definitive set time that people must read for, many studies suggest that a daily reading habit of around 15-35 minutes is a good amount of time to aim for.
• Aiming for this amount of time should be achievable for most people and upon reaching 15 minutes, people may be motivated to continue reading for longer.
• When reading for shorter periods of time, the benefits are likely to be reduced due to the time taken to adapt to the activity.
• Reading gains fall below the national average when reading lasts less than 15 minutes each day.
• Coinciding with this, the flow state of mind typically takes between 10-15 minutes to achieve, giving readers a heightened state of focused attention. 
• Once the state is achieved, reading comprehension should increase without the expense of as much conscious effort.
• Although the time taken to enter flow differs depending on the person and activity, it generally matches up with the minimum recommended reading time.

Health benefits of reading

As reading is a relaxing activity that also provides cognitive stimulation, there are a significant number of physical and mental health benefits that come from its practice.

• A reduction in mortality of 20% has been observed in book readers (reading books 3.92 hours per week on average) when compared with non-book readers (reading periodicals 6.10 hours per week on average).
• Reading for as little as 6 minutes can reduce stress by 68%.
• Lifelong reading has been shown to slow the rate of mental decline by a third.
• The National Institute on Aging recommends reading to lower the risks of cognitive decline related to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• 23% of readers believe books help them feel better about their personal situations as they help them realize that others have gone through similar circumstances.
• 19% of readers say spending time with a book makes them feel less lonely.
• People who describe themselves as readers are 10% more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem than those that self-describe as nonreaders.
• Storytelling has been shown to decrease pain in hospitalized children.
• Bedtime readers show greater levels of satisfaction with their sleep quality and quantity when compared to non-bedtime readers.
• They have also been shown to make healthier lifestyle choices when compared against non-bedtime readers.

Benefits of reading on stress

Reading is an effective method of stress-relief that can soothe the mind and alleviate the pressures of daily life, even from just a few minutes of practice. 

• Reading for as little as 6 minutes was shown to reduce stress by 68%*.
• 30 minutes of reading can even be as effective as yoga for stress relief.
• Reading can lower the heart rate, blood pressure and ease muscle tension.
• Furthermore, readers can become better informed about their stress levels by choosing to read books that contain information on the topic itself.

*Comparatively, listening to music was shown to reduce stress by 61%, having tea/coffee reduced stress by 54%, taking a walk reduced stress by 42% and playing video games reduced stress by 21%.

Benefits of reading on the brain

Across all age groups, reading can provide a whole host of health advantages that can benefit the reader or listener’s cognitive ability.

• Humans are not predisposed to translate letters into sounds and as such, reading uses the brain areas designed for visual processing, language comprehension and speech production.
• With each page read, the brain needs to decipher, analyze and store further information.
• Reading requires mental visualization which stimulates the brain more than other forms of entertainment, such as TV and film.
• Although it is possible to read both actively and passively, reading is typically considered to be an active skill due to these processes. 
• As books often take days or weeks to complete, they also exercise the memory and give readers time to consciously or unconsciously speculate on the direction of the plot.
• Reading is more neurobiologically challenging when compared to speaking or listening.
• Due to these factors, reading can be an effective treatment to those who suffer strokes, by forcing the brain to use different synapses (connections between brain neurons). 

Benefits of reading on sleep

Sleep quality and quantity can both be positively impacted by reading, leading to improved rest and an increased sense of well-being.

• Reading a print book can encourage a good night’s sleep as it does not emit the lights associated with devices such as phones, tablets, and e-readers.
• The reading of physical book copies can help regulate the body clock, naturally signaling to the brain that it’s time to fall asleep.
• Those who read at bedtime have been found to sleep for an additional 1 hour and 37 minutes per week when compared to those that don’t.
• In addition, 96% of bedtime readers would recommend the habit to other people.
• Readers can also become better informed about their sleeping habits by choosing to read books containing information on the topic itself.

Benefits of bedtime reading

• According to a 2021 survey on bedtime reading, its most commonly reported benefit is relaxation (81%).
• Stress reduction (65%) follows, with reading being used to aid falling asleep and to center the mind being the third most commonly reported benefits (both 63%).
• Bedtime reading to improve overall sleep quality (50%) rounds off the top five most highly reported benefits.

Benefit	Number of respondents*
Relaxation	81%
Stress reduction	65%
Aids with falling asleep	63%
Centers the mind	63%
Improves quality of sleep	50%

A graph is given below to show the benefits of bedtime reading:

Reading effect on sleep quality

• According to the survey, bedtime readers show greater levels of satisfaction with their sleep quality when compared to non-bedtime readers.
• Non-bedtime readers were more likely to report being slightly satisfied with their sleep quality when compared to bedtime readers.
• Bedtime readers were more likely to report being satisfied with their sleep quality when compared to non-bedtime readers.
• Bedtime readers were also more likely to report being very satisfied with their sleep quality when compared to non-bedtime readers.

Satisfaction level	Bedtime readers	Non-bedtime readers
Slightly satisfied	26%	28%
Satisfied	37%	30%
Very satisfied	14%	5%

Reading effect on sleep quantity

• According to the survey, bedtime readers show improved levels of satisfaction with their sleep quantity when compared to non-bedtime readers.
• Non-bedtime readers were more likely to report being slightly satisfied with their sleep quantity when compared to bedtime readers.
• Bedtime readers were more likely to report being satisfied with their sleep quantity when compared to non-bedtime readers.
• Bedtime readers were also more likely to report being very satisfied with their sleep quantity when compared to non-bedtime readers.

Satisfaction level	Bedtime readers	Non-bedtime readers
Slightly satisfied	12%	13%
Satisfied	19%	16%
Very satisfied	6%	3%

Benefits of reading on life expectancy

A positive correlation has been found between regular readers and higher life expectancies, showing the importance of practicing reading as a daily activity.

• A reduction in mortality of up to 20% has been observed in book readers when compared with non-book readers.
• People over 50 who read books were shown to survive approximately 2 years longer on average than those who don’t read books.
• Book reading is linked to a much higher survival advantage when compared to other types of reading, such as newspapers and magazines.
• In addition, frequent readers are more likely to earn higher lifetime earnings, which has also been linked to higher life expectancies.

Mental health benefits of reading

A healthy, regular reading habit has been shown to provide numerous positive impacts on an individual’s psychological and emotional well-being.

• 23% of readers believe books help them feel better about their personal situations as they help them realize that others have gone through similar circumstances.
• People who describe themselves as readers are 10% more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem than those that self-describe as nonreaders.
• Reading has even been shown to provide benefits for individuals that suffer from the effects of social isolation.
• 19% of readers say spending time with a book makes them feel less lonely.
• Reading can increase a person’s emotional intelligence and empathy, making them more likely to build meaningful relationships with other people.
• A number of mental health disorders show correlations with reading skill deficits, showing the importance of overall literacy levels.
• Bibliotherapy, the treatment of mental conditions using books as therapy, can reduce depression symptoms in children, adolescents and adults.
• It can also be a viable treatment option for those who are unable or not looking to pursue traditional forms of therapy.
• Self-help books can measurably improve the condition of people with depression and anxiety.
• Readers can become better informed about their mental health by choosing to read books containing information on the topic itself.

Physical health benefits of reading

In addition to mental health benefits, there are also some surprising physical health benefits which can be present in those that read frequently.

• Bedtime readers have been shown to make healthier lifestyle choices than non-bedtime readers, more commonly eating healthy foods, taking part in healthy recreational activities and regularly visiting the doctor and dentist.
• Storytelling has been shown to decrease pain in hospitalized children.
• One study found that obese girls aged 9-13 reduced their BMI after reading a story about an overweight pre-teen who learns to make healthier lifestyle choices.
• This demonstrated the power of characters within books to influence the decision making of the reader, which is beneficial if they exercise healthy habits.
• Although a person’s vision will not improve from reading physical books, it can help promote healthy eye circulation and glare.
• In contrast, reading for lengthy periods, reading in dimly lit rooms or on electronic devices can lead to eye strain and dry eyes.
• Readers can also become better informed about their physical health by choosing to read books containing information on the topic itself.

Reading effect on stress

• After reading for just half an hour, a person’s blood pressure and heart rate can be lowered. 
• Students also find that their stress levels drop from just 30 minutes of reading.
• On average, reading for 6 minutes can reduce stress levels by two-thirds.
• When compared to going for a walk, listening to music or drinking tea, reading a book reduces stress more quickly and effectively (up to 68%).

Reading effect on mortality

• Reduced mortality risks have been observed in people that read solitarily each day.
• Readers who read for 3.5 hours a week are 23% more likely to live longer than those who don’t read frequently.
• Readers live for around 2 years longer than those who don’t read.

Social impact of books and reading

Due to the growing importance of the internet in our everyday lives, books now have to compete with other technologies in the fight for our attention. However, social media trends, movies, video games and streaming services are often inspired by books themselves.

• Book reading in general helps encourage people to actively participate in social events and activities, improving the world around them.
• People who read often are three times more likely to be involved with charity and volunteer work than non-readers.
• Frequent readers are several times more likely to attend concerts and museums than non-frequent readers.
• Adults who have lower levels of literacy are more likely to hold the belief that they have little impact on the political process.

Impact of books on intelligence

Brain stimulation increases during the activity of reading, in an effect that can even last for multiple days. Although the benefits of the skill of reading can at times be overlooked, its impact on our mental abilities cannot be ignored. 

• Higher general levels of intelligence have been observed in people that read from a young age compared to people that read less frequently.
• The more books in the home, the more likely it is that children enjoy reading. 
• 42% of children with less than 10 books in their homes do not like reading and 32% believe that they are very confident readers.
• In contrast, 12% of children with more than 200 books in their homes do not like reading and 73% believe that they are very confident readers.
• Reading books frequently at age 10 and more than once a week at age 16 helps young people achieve better math, vocabulary and spelling test scores.

Literacy and employment

Studies have shown that the habit of regular reading can improve literacy, numeracy and problem-solving abilities, all of which can have a great impact on a person’s employability.

• A 2017 survey of US adults showed that average literacy, numeracy and digital problem-solving skills are at their highest levels in people who are employed.
• People who are unemployed show reduced scores on average in literacy, numeracy and digital problem-solving. 
• The lowest average scores across all categories were seen in those who were out of the labor force (not looking to enter employment).

Employment status	Average numeracy score	Average literacy score	Average digital problem-solving score
Employed	260	275	277
Unemployed	252	271	272
Out of labor force	235	254	259

A graph is given below to show average adult literacy, numeracy and digital problem-solving scores by employment status:

Benefits of reading for adults

Reading is one of the greatest ways for humans to gain knowledge and it helps with the development of ideas, perspectives and insights. As a regular hobby, it can also offer readers an escape from the stresses of daily life.

• Adults with higher literacy skills are employed at a significantly higher rate.
• 63% of all employers rate reading comprehension very highly for high school graduates looking to begin their careers.
• This jumps to 72% for two-year college graduates and increases to 87% for four-year college graduates.
• Those who can read and write earn 30% to 42% more income when compared to people who cannot.
• In countries where adults attain high levels of literacy proficiency and low levels of low literacy, per capita incomes are increased.
• Greater life satisfaction is reported 20% more often by people that read for just 30 minutes a week.
• 87% of US adult book readers say that books are important in their life, with 44% reading for fun every day.
• For adults between the ages of 18 and 64, book reading can significantly reduce perceived feelings of loneliness.
• People are 28% more likely to report feelings of depression if they don’t read.
• 96% of bedtime readers would recommend the habit to other people for its health benefits.

Benefits of reading for the elderly

For elderly individuals, reading has been shown to reduce the cognitive effects of aging, due to its ability to encourage the development of neural connections.  

• Lifelong reading has been shown to slow the rate of mental decline by a third.
• Seniors who read every day during a study saw their cognitive functions improve over a 6 month period.
• It is commonly believed that reading stimulates the brain to offset negative changes in the brain related to age.
• The National Institute on Aging recommends reading to lower the risks of cognitive decline related to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• For lifelong readers, the physical ailments found on the brains of people with dementia are less likely to develop.
• Further research has shown that a larger vocabulary (which is boosted by reading) is linked to slower mental decline.

Benefits of reading to babies

Reading to babies provides many benefits, allowing them to understand different methods of communication and the world around them. By beginning the habit at a very early age, it can develop their listening, memory and vocabulary and even introduce them to numbers, colors and shapes.

• Reading one picture book to a baby every day will expose them to around 78,000 words annually.
• When compared to other kids of their age, children who were read to as newborns were found to have larger vocabularies and better mathematical abilities.
• Frequently reading to your baby allows them to speak more words by 2 years of age when compared to those not read to as often.
• Despite these positives, 55% of the 0 – 2 age group are still not read to on a daily basis.
• Although babies will not understand exactly what is being said, they are able to begin sensing different feelings through the tone, inflection and rhythm of a voice.
• After a while, they will start reacting and engaging with the story being read aloud.
• Even the experience of holding or touching books by itself can support cognitive development in babies.
• Reading aloud is the perfect way to create a strong emotional bond with a very young child, due to their love of hearing familiar voices. 
• Parents are less stressed about their relationship with their children and witness reduced behavioral issues later down the line by engaging their babies in shared reading and play.

Percentage of babies, toddlers and children read to frequently

Although reading to babies, toddlers and children frequently has been seen to produce a significant number of benefits, the activity is still not as widespread as it could be.

• Research has shown that 45% of the 0 – 2 age group are read to frequently*.
• 58% of the 3 – 4 age group are read to frequently.
• 44% of the 5 – 7 age group are read to frequently.
• By focusing on increasing the percentage of babies and toddlers in the 0 – 2 age group that are read to frequently, it may be possible to increase the percentage of children read to frequently in older age groups.

*daily or nearly every day

Age group	Percentage
0 – 2	45%
3 – 4	58%
5 – 7	44%

A graph is given below to show the percentage of babies, toddlers and children read to frequently by their age group:

Best book formats for babies

Different book formats can have a great impact on a child’s experience of learning. Throughout each early years stage, it is beneficial to make sure babies and toddlers have access to titles according to their age and level. Some organizations are even able to provide free books for babies, which is especially useful for parents with poor economic backgrounds.

• As newborns have limited levels of vision, black and white books can better help them comprehend what they are seeing.
• These can be made out of soft or hard materials and usually feature one large image on each page.
• Between 0 and 3 months, babies will begin to focus their eyes on simple page patterns.
• Once a baby reaches 6 months, books made of hard materials (board books) can be the best option, allowing them to interact and turn pages without causing damage.
• Picture books can introduce them to letters, colors and shapes which they will begin recognizing with increased exposure.
• In particular, it is best to select books that contain:
  • Pictures of simple objects: For association with the world around them.
  • Textured surfaces: To help with their sense of touch.
  • Sounds: To help with their sense of hearing.
  • Simple sentences: To allow babies to become used to the basics of the language.
  • Repetition and rhymes: To encourage interest and overall learning.
• When comparing physical books to digital, young children find print books more engaging than e-books.
• This could be partly due to the increased interaction that occurs between parent and child when reading a print book.
• What’s more, digital devices can distract babies and young children when reading ebooks, which is detrimental to their engagement and concentration.

Benefits of reading to a baby in the womb

Reading to a baby prenatally can be a great way to initiate a feeling of secure attachment. Furthermore, doing so can even strengthen the bond between the parent(s) and child in later years.

• As babies are read to in the womb, they are provided additional opportunities to hear familiar voices.
• A baby’s fetal heart rate can lower from being read to in a relaxed manner, especially if the voice of the reader is the mother.
• The process of language learning is believed to begin in utero.
• Newborns are understood to prefer listening to the language that they were exposed to whilst in the womb.
• Possibly due to their time in the womb, the brains of babies have even been shown to distinguish their mother’s voice from a stranger from just the way the word “baby” is spoken.
• For those just born, one study of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit showed that book reading had positive effects on both the infants and their parents alike.

When do you start reading to babies?

As a general rule, there are benefits to be gained from reading to a child as early as possible, so it is advisable to get a head start on a shared reading habit. 

• Although recommendations vary, reading to babies as early as birth is very common. 
• However, some people may even wish to read to their child whilst in the womb to develop an extra feeling of attachment.
• Starting the habit of shared reading too late can make it harder for babies, children or toddlers to adapt to a new experience.
• It is also important to make sure any shared reading is responsive, taking into consideration the desires of the child, and it should also be practiced as part of a regular routine.

How to read to babies?

Although the benefits of reading to babies are well-known, its practice can be intuitive to some parents/carers but difficult for others. Understanding how to make the experience more effective may go a long way in increasing the uptake of shared reading for children in  their earliest years.

The following list of tips can help to make shared reading more productive for babies and toddlers:

• Remove any distractions that may interrupt the session.
• Make sure the baby is comfortable, preventing their urge to fidget.
• Switch between reading the text and describing pictures as necessary.
• Repeat words/sentences and show items in real life, giving context.
• Allow the baby to lead the experience, learning at their own pace.
• Try to make it enjoyable by comforting, laughing and having fun.

Benefits of reading physical books

Reading books can be a cheap (or even free) and accessible hobby that provides multiple benefits. The habit of reading can help improve a person’s physical, mental and emotional states, greatly impacting their quality of life.

• A survey of adults based in the US highlighted a multitude of benefits that can arise from reading physical book copies.
• 85% of those surveyed agreed that reading physical books helps with learning about history.
• 82% of those surveyed agreed that reading physical books helps to improve focus.
• 81% of those surveyed agreed that reading physical books helps to learn about different cultures.
• Each of the twelve benefits listed were noted by at least 62% of adults surveyed.

Benefit	Percentage
Helps with learning about history	85%
Helps to improve focus	82%
Helps to learn about different cultures	81%
Helps to reduce levels of stress	80%
Helps to think outside the box	79%
Helps to become more open-minded	79%
Helps to make you feel better when down	77%
Helps to develop problem-solving	74%
Helps to enhance creativity	74%
Helps to focus on the present	72%
Helps to feel empathy	71%
Helps to connect with others	62%

A graph is given below to show the top 5 benefits of reading physical books according to US-based adults:

Benefits of reading manga

Manga provides a visually engaging and highly immersive experience for its readers. As with comic books, manga blends together interesting characters, clever storytelling and unique visuals that appeal to fans all over the world. 

Through the medium, readers can delve into different genres, find new perspectives and explore other cultures. When these are combined, they can contribute to the growth of a stronger reading habit overall, that can kickstart and encourage a person’s personal development.

• A Japan-wide survey of all ages found that over 90% of the 49 or younger age group believe reading manga is good for children.
• 63% of respondents of all ages said that manga enriches sensitivity and expressiveness.
• 53% of respondents of all ages said that manga gives children something to talk about with their friends.
• 44% of respondents of all ages said that manga increases knowledge.
• One study showed that 75.5% of international students in Japan initially became interested in learning Japanese due to their interest in manga and anime.
• Manga’s high level of focus on images and visual language can appeal to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who may be better at processing images than words.
• The drawings within manga can be especially useful to those with ASD as facial expressions are often exaggerated to simplify emotions for the reader.
• Dyslexic readers can also benefit from manga as pages have less words and more pictures, allowing them to finish pages more quickly and easily than other mediums.
• As manga can more easily maintain their interest, they can be led to finish titles faster and gain confidence in their reading ability.
• Detailed hand-drawn images used in manga can even help readers develop an appreciation of art.

Opinions on whether manga is good for children

Whether the benefits of manga outweigh the negatives for child readers is a topic of interest for many parents. Certain types of manga are known to contain adult visuals and themes, so it is very important for parents to help their children choose age-appropriate titles that can aid their growth.

• A Japan-wide survey found that 85% of people at least somewhat agree it is good for children to read manga. 
• Of these respondents, 38% said that they fully agreed.
• Just 12% at least somewhat disagreed that it is good for children to read manga.
• Of these respondents, 2% said that they fully disagreed.

Opinion on whether manga is good for children	Percentage
Agree	38%
Somewhat agree	47%
Somewhat disagree	10%
Disagree	2%
No answer	3%

A graph is given below to show opinions on whether manga is good for children:

How manga affects learning

Manga can be a valuable educational tool for readers, improving reading comprehension, visual literacy and cultivating an interest in new topics and cultures.

• When compared to traditional book reading, manga requires the reader to utilize a different set of skills, challenging the brain in alternate ways.
• Manga readers must continuously decode pictures in order to understand the plot, enhancing visual literacy (the ability to comprehend and analyze visual information).
• Through the engagement of the reader’s imagination, manga can help readers learn words, phrases and idioms in a more enjoyable way.
• The combination of graphics and text alone can help the reader to interpret unknown words.
• Readers of manga can find it more fun and easy to read than other types of publications, which encourages reading and boosts its popularity.
• When compared to watching anime, readers are able to easily read manga on-the-move, giving readers a great advantage when it comes to its portability.

Benefits of reading classic literature

People who immerse themselves in classic books can find more than just the regular benefits associated with reading, through the enjoyment of the most recognized stories. Classic literature written by renowned authors can also provide readers with timeless, enriching and fulfilling experiences that enhance critical thinking and boost knowledge.

• A survey of students showed that 70% believed reading classic books is a beneficial activity.
• Furthermore, 80% believed that classic titles are still relevant in the modern world.
• In a survey of the British public, 62% admitted to having lied about reading classic novels before.
• The results showed it was the most common strategy used by people in order to make themselves seem smarter to others.
• Character-driven high literature novels (often classic literature) have been found to boost subjects’ empathy, social perception and emotional intelligence, when compared to reading other forms of fiction or nonfiction.
• Titles such as these push readers to be more imaginative and make many inferences, testing mental capacities that help the reader to grow.
• Classic literature is known to contain important moral messages, which encourage readers to start thinking about ethics in a critical way.
• It is also known to be more challenging to read and can be a brilliant way for readers to improve their overall vocabulary.
• Depression, anxiety, chronic pain and dementia sufferers can all benefit from reading classic literature to alleviate suffering.
• Jane Austen’s novels have been shown to provide the reader with a complex and rigorous brain workout as strong as solving mathematics problems or studying.

Opinions of classic books vs. classic movies

A US survey was performed to find opinions from consumers on whether classic books or their movie adaptations were better. Although classic literature featured prominently in the survey, other modern classic titles were also included.

• 77% of respondents believed that the original book is at least equal in quality to its movie adaptation.
• 45% of respondents believed that the original book is normally better than its movie adaptation.
• 32% of respondents believed that the original book is normally equal in quality to its movie adaptation.
• 5% of respondents believed that movie adaptations are normally better than the original book.
• Additionally, 9% of people in the survey reported watching movie adaptations without ever reading the original classic book.

Opinion	Percentage of respondents
The book is normally better	45%
The movie and book are normally equal	32%
The movie is normally better	5%
Other/didn’t answer	18%

A graph is given below to show the opinions of classic books vs. classic movies:

Opinions on effect of classical literature on a person’s character

As of 2021, people in Great Britain were asked for their opinions on the effect of classical literature on a person’s character.

• 62% of people surveyed believed that classical literature has at least some beneficial impact on a person’s character.
• 9% of people surveyed believed that classical literature has a big beneficial impact on a person’s character.
• 33% of people surveyed believed that classical literature has some beneficial impact on a person’s character.
• 20% of people surveyed believed that classical literature does not have much beneficial impact on a person’s character.
• 16% of people surveyed believed that classical literature has no beneficial impact on a person’s character.

Opinion	Percentage of respondents
It has a big beneficial impact	9%
It has some beneficial impact	33%
It does not have much beneficial impact	20%
It has no beneficial impact	16%
Don’t know	22%

A graph is given below to show opinions on the effect of classical literature on a person’s character:

Additional benefits of classic literature

• Classic literature can open readers up to different ideas, perspectives and cultures, allowing for a better understanding of the world at large.
• Readers can learn new vocabulary and improve their comprehension and grammar through classic literature, as it frequently uses language that is more complex than in other works.
• It is generally considered to be more challenging and rewarding, providing a more memorable experience that can help improve critical thinking skills and even help with language acquisition.
• The complex structures and sentences expressed through classic literature can engage more areas of the reader’s brain when compared to reading simpler prose.
• This can even provide students with a great way to provide for standardized tests.
• Many books within classic literature contain strong viewpoints which are great for challenging the strength and validity of opposing ideas.
• Many other types of books contain references to the classics (literary allusions) which can only be understood by having read the title that is being referred to.
• Understanding these references between classics and other books can give a sense of satisfaction to the reader and act as a reward for their reading habit.

Benefits of reading over gaming

As forms of entertainment, reading is well-known as a beneficial activity, whereas games are often seen in a worse light. Typically, reading requires a larger amount of effort and is more engaging when compared to gaming, although some games do require players to be extremely alert. 

• The ability to read requires a high level of sustained and focused attention.
• Readers must process each word and understand their overall meaning whilst also using their own imagination and critical thinking skills.
• Video games provide a high level of visual and auditory stimulation, although the attention required is not typically as sustained.
• Imagination and creativity are encouraged through reading, as readers need to imagine scenes and characters.
• Although gaming can be creative at times, limitations are put into place by those that have designed each game.
• Learning new information and skill development is commonplace through reading, where readers are provided with different ideas and perspectives
• Video games can also be educational but the skills learned are typically more focused on problem-solving or developing one’s hand-eye coordination.
• Whereas reading is typically done as a solitary activity (with the exception of read-alouds or book discussions), games can be either single or multiplayer.

Time spent reading vs. gaming

• The average person spends 9.6 more minutes per day on gaming compared to reading.
• The difference between the average gaming and reading time increased significantly over the years, from 3 minutes in 2009 to maximum 12.6 minutes in 2018.
• Since 2010, the average US citizen never spent more than 20 minutes per day reading for personal interest, and never spent under 24 minutes per day on gaming.
• During the same period, the difference between daily gaming and reading time has never been under 5 minutes.

Men play games way more than they read

• On average, men read for personal interest around 13.8 minutes per day, while they play games for about 33 minutes daily.
• This means that men spend 239% more time on gaming compared to reading books.
• This gap got bigger over the years, as it stood at 11.4 minutes in 2009, and 14.4 minutes in 2015.

• On the other hand, women spend as much time on reading as they do on playing games, with 18.6 minutes per day.
• Since 2009, women spent more time reading than gaming 6 times, more on gaming 3 times, and equal amount on both 2 times.
• However, the last time women read more than they engaged with gaming was in 2015.

Reading vs. gaming by age

• U20-year-olds spend almost the full hour more per day playing games than reading, 59.4 minutes.
• This is the largest difference between gaming and reading time in history.
• All age groups below 45 years of age spend more time gaming than reading.
• Difference in reading time vs. gaming time for over-75-year-olds reduced by 50% over the last 5 years.

Category	Age	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Reading	15-19 yrs	9	7.2	9	6.6	7.8	6.6	11.4	7.2	8.4	7.2	7.8
Reading	20-24 yrs	10.8	10.2	7.2	9	13.8	13.8	6.6	8.4	6.6	6.6	6
Reading	25-34 yrs	9.6	8.4	9	8.4	6.6	7.8	10.2	9	6.6	6	7.2
Reading	35-44 yrs	11.4	10.2	12	11.4	9.6	9	10.2	10.2	9.6	9	9.6
Reading	45-54 yrs	17.4	15	15.6	15.6	12.6	13.8	13.2	10.8	12.6	9.6	15
Reading	55-64 yrs	28.2	22.2	22.8	25.8	25.2	22.2	22.2	22.2	18	16.2	16.8
Reading	65-74 yrs	42	39	36	40.8	44.4	37.8	39.6	33.6	34.8	36.6	31.8
Reading	75 yrs and over	61.8	56.4	48	58.2	57.6	65.4	61.2	51.6	51	48	43.8
Playing games	15-19 yrs	53.4	55.2	64.2	50.4	52.8	54	64.8	55.2	63	61.8	67.2
Playing games	20-24 yrs	25.8	43.2	43.2	50.4	42.6	51	43.2	40.2	61.2	57.6	48.6
Playing games	25-34 yrs	24	22.8	24.6	24	24.6	23.4	21	27.6	28.2	34.2	31.2
Playing games	35-44 yrs	17.4	18.6	18	16.8	16.8	16.8	15	13.8	12.6	16.8	16.8
Playing games	45-54 yrs	15.6	13.2	16.2	18	16.2	17.4	15	13.2	18	13.2	13.2
Playing games	55-64 yrs	17.4	18.6	19.2	16.2	21	21.6	19.2	16.2	17.4	19.2	13.2
Playing games	65-74 yrs	22.8	21.6	25.2	24	31.8	28.2	26.4	28.2	28.8	23.4	19.8
Playing games	75 yrs and over	25.8	26.4	22.2	22.2	24	28.8	27	27.6	25.8	25.8	25.8

Reading vs. gaming effect on health

Reading effect on health

• Healthier lifestyle choices, increased life satisfaction and longer life expectancy have all been associated with those who enjoy reading.
• A study has shown that 6 minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by 68%.
• A reduction in mortality of 20% has been observed in book readers when compared with non-book readers.
• Reading is a healthy, low dopamine activity that requires a higher level of effort compared to other activities.
• Due to this it is typically considered to be more rewarding, and readers are 10% more likely to report having higher levels of self-esteem than non-readers.

Gaming effect on health

• If enjoyed in a healthy and recreational manner, video gaming can improve an individual’s motor skills, decision-making and multi-tasking.
• Although gaming can reduce stress levels by 21%, it can leave gamers with higher heart rates than before they start the activity.
• As with other sedentary screen-based activities, gaming is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality.
• Video game addiction can negatively affect several areas of a person’s health, both physically and mentally.
• It is common for gamers to report suffering from anxiety and depression caused by reduced dopamine levels which arise from the activity.

Reading vs. gaming effect on brain

Reading effect on brain

• The mental visualization that is required when reading is better able to stimulate the brain when compared to other forms of entertainment.
• One study showed that improved cognitive/school tests had a positive association with reading activities.
• 82% of US-based adults surveyed agree that reading physical books helps to improve focus.
• 79% say that it helps with outside-the-box thinking and 74% believe that it helps to develop problem solving skills.
• Readers also often have much larger vocabularies than non-readers, which is linked to learning new words contextually through text.

Gaming effect on brain

• Children who game for 3 or more hours daily have shown links to better performances on tests involving impulse control and working memory compared to children that never play games.
• Action games have shown a high association with the ability to direct attention and filter specific information.
• Puzzle games have been associated with increased navigation, perception and recognition skills.
• Despite this, gaming’s effect on dopamine is extreme compared to other activities, which when unchecked can lead to high libido, aggression, stress and weak impulse control.
• Better results on cognitive/school tests have also shown little to no association with video gaming.

Benefits of reading over watching TV

Although reading and watching television are both methods of absorbing information, both activities vary greatly in the way they are processed and interpreted. Despite there being pros and cons to each activity, reading comes with a far more comprehensive list of benefits on the whole. 

• Although there are many benefits of reading over watching television, 32% of people report TV acts as a barrier to them reading as much as they would like.
• Reading is an active process that requires an increased level of cognitive processing.
• During reading, the reader must process the language used, understand its meaning and use imagination and critical thinking skills.
• Watching television or video is a passive process that requires a decreased level of cognitive processing.
• Effective reading typically requires an environment free of distractions, whereas distractions while watching television are generally less important.
• TV or video watching may be more effective at conveying an overview of a topic, but gaining a deeper understanding is usually best achieved through reading.
• Finding video information on a topic of interest is very accessible, quick and easy to do.

Time spent reading vs. watching TV

• The average person watches TV for around 2 hours and 51 minutes while reading for no more than 16 minutes and 48 seconds during the average day.
• This means that the average American spends 2 hours and 34 minutes more in front of the television than in from of the book. This is 9.21 times more time spent watching TV than reading books.
• This difference got bigger over time, as in 2012 the average American spent 2.5 hours more in from of TV than reading for pleasure.
• Overall, over the last 10 years, Americans’ average daily reading time declined by 15.15%, while time spent in front of television increased by 1.06%.

Year	Reading time	Change	Watching TV	Change
2021	0:16:48	3.70%	2:51:36	1.78%
2019	0:16:12	3.85%	2:48:36	-1.06%
2018	0:15:36	-7.14%	2:50:24	2.53%
2017	0:16:48	-3.45%	2:46:12	1.47%
2016	0:17:24	-9.38%	2:43:48	-1.80%
2015	0:19:12	0.00%	2:46:48	-1.42%
2014	0:19:12	0.00%	2:49:12	1.81%
2013	0:19:12	-3.03%	2:46:12	-2.12%
2012	0:19:48		2:49:48
Since 2012		-15.15%		1.06%

• People spend around 5:16:12 hours relaxing with various leisure activities during the typical day as of 2021.
• Combined, reading and TV watching account for nearly 60% of the leisure time for the average American.
• However, 54.27% of total leisure time goes to television, while only 5.31% of total leisure time is spent on reading for personal interest.
• Over the past 10 years, the share of reading in total leisure time for the average US citizen decreased by -13.54% while television watching increased by 2.98%.

Year	Total daily leisure time	Share of reading in leisure time	Share of TV during leisure time
2021	5:16:12	5.31%	54.27%
2019	5:11:24	5.20%	54.14%
2018	5:16:12	4.93%	53.89%
2017	5:14:24	5.34%	52.86%
2016	5:07:48	5.65%	53.22%
2015	5:12:36	6.14%	53.36%
2014	5:18:00	6.04%	53.21%
2013	5:15:36	6.08%	52.66%
2012	5:22:12	6.15%	52.70%

Reading vs. watching TV by age

• Americans between 15 and 24 years of age read around 9:36 minutes per day reading while watching television for just under 2 hours. This group both reads and watches TV the least among all age groups.
• People ages 15 to 24 are also the only age group in the US with a difference between TV and reading time under 2 hours. The group also has the smallest difference between reading and TV time over the past 10 years.
• On the other hand, Americans over 65 years of age, while reading the most (34 minutes) during the typical day, they also spend over 4 and a half hours watching television.
• Over the past 10 years, the difference between TV time and reading time for senior citizens increased by 18.73%.
• At the same time, Americans between 15 and 24 years of age decreased this difference by 16.44%, and people ages between 25 and 54 also decreased the difference by 7.14%.

	Reading				Watching TV
Year	15 to 24	25 to 54	55 to 64	65+	15 to 24	25 to 54	55 to 64	65+
2021	0:09:36	0:10:48	0:17:24	0:34:12	1:59:24	2:15:36	3:19:48	4:30:00
2019	0:06:36	0:10:12	0:16:48	0:36:36	2:07:48	2:09:00	3:14:24	4:36:00
2018	0:06:36	0:08:24	0:16:12	0:41:24	2:07:12	2:13:48	3:21:36	4:31:12
2017	0:07:12	0:09:36	0:18:00	0:41:24	2:00:00	2:14:24	3:13:48	4:22:12
2016	0:07:48	0:09:36	0:22:12	0:40:48	2:01:48	2:13:48	3:15:36	4:11:24
2015	0:09:00	0:11:24	0:22:12	0:48:36	2:15:36	2:16:48	3:13:48	4:13:12
2014	0:10:12	0:10:12	0:22:12	0:49:12	2:27:00	2:18:36	3:15:00	4:14:24
2013	0:10:48	0:09:36	0:25:12	0:49:48	2:10:12	2:21:00	3:14:24	4:07:12
2012	0:07:48	0:12:00	0:25:48	0:48:36	2:19:12	2:26:24	3:15:36	4:07:12

Reading vs. TV effect on health

Reading effect on health

• Reading is associated with a number of physical and mental health benefits, including healthier lifestyle choices, increased life satisfaction and longer life expectancy.
• Reading has been found to act as a sleeping aid and provide a slower, deeper level of gratification.
• Lifelong reading habits have been shown to lessen the rate of mental decline by a third.
• 6 minutes of reading has been found to reduce stress levels by up to 68%.
• As they do not emit light (unlike other sources of entertainment), reading print books can encourage a better night’s sleep.
• Books often take multiple days or weeks to complete, further exercising the memory when compared to other forms of entertainment.

TV effect on health

• TV, especially when watched for hours at a time, is a highly sedentary and passive activity linked with many negative health effects including isolation, depression and obesity.
• In terms of its effect on diet, binge-watching television has been linked to overeating, especially when it comes to unhealthy foods.
• Watching a high amount of TV and having a low level of physical activity is linked to greater levels of middle age cognitive decline when compared to more active individuals who watch less TV.
• Those that watch over 2-3 hours of TV per day are linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and are at a greater risk of suffering from premature death.
• Excess video watching as part of a daily routine can disrupt a person’s sleep cycle, make them accustomed to instant gratification and cause mental disorganization/confusion. 
• Although television can reduce anxiety when used as a method of distraction and relaxation, too much time in front of a TV can actually increase anxiety levels.

Reading vs. TV effect on brain

Reading effect on brain

• Books need to engage the reader and hold their attention, developing focus and concentration skills.
• Books do not contain adverts within their content, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the narrative.
• Reading allows the reader the ability to control the flow of information they absorb, allowing for thorough comprehension.
• Mental visualization during reading stimulates the brain more than other forms of entertainment.
• Reading aloud to children has been found to increase their IQ.
• Children have been shown to produce more imaginative responses to questions after listening to a story when compared to watching a film.

TV effect on brain

• TV can cause poor focus in frequent watchers due to developing shorter concentration habits.
• Television often contains adverts which divert the attention of the watcher away from the show they are watching. 
• TV and videos dictate the speed at which the information is given, making it more difficult for watchers to comprehend information at their own pace. 
• Children who watch TV for 2 or more hours daily are more likely to suffer increased psychological difficulties at school, including hyperactivity, behavioral problems and social conflicts. 
• Watching TV has even been found to lower the IQ of children.
• Children under the age of 3 with increased exposure to TV have been linked to having delayed language acquisition.