Only 10% of UK Boys Aged 14–16 Read Daily for Pleasure, National Literacy Trust Warns

Published: 23 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A new report from the National Literacy Trust has revealed a stark decline in reading for pleasure among teenagers in the United Kingdom, with fewer than one in ten boys aged 14 to 16 saying they read daily in their free time. The findings highlight a significant drop in engagement with reading during adolescence, raising concerns among educators and literacy advocates about long‑term literacy habits.

The study, based on responses from more than 80,000 young people aged 11 to 16, found that while early years show relatively higher enjoyment of reading, daily reading habits sharply decline as children get older. Among 8‑ to 11‑year‑olds, nearly half reported reading for pleasure, but that falls dramatically in the 11–14 age group and to just 9.8% for boys aged 14–16 — a figure that lags well behind their female peers, who show slightly higher engagement and some recovery in later teen years.

Report authors say the decline is not simply a rejection of reading but reflects broader shifts in how teenagers spend their leisure time. Pressures from schoolwork, pervasive digital screens, social media, sports and other extracurricular interests often crowd out time that might otherwise be spent with books. Many teens still acknowledge reading’s benefits — such as relaxation, escapism and improved wellbeing — but find it increasingly difficult to prioritise it amid competing demands.

Experts at the National Literacy Trust stress that the drop in reading isn’t a sudden collapse but part of a longer trend of diminishing engagement as children move into adolescence — a period when routines change and reading habits are harder to sustain without personalised support. The findings coincide with the UK’s National Year of Reading 2026, aimed at reinvigorating interest in books and promoting reading for pleasure across ages.

Advocates say tackling this decline requires a multifaceted approach, from fostering reading habits early in life to improving access to books and tailoring reading options to match young people’s interests, including embracing digital and audio formats alongside traditional print. Educational programmes and family support are widely seen as key to reversing the trend and helping all young people — especially boys — find joy in reading beyond academic requirements.

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