New GfK global research reveals that roughly one-third (30%) of US consumers read books “every day or most days” – equal to the average for all 17 countries covered by the study. Another 25% in the US say they read “at least once a week,” and 10% report they “never” read books.

Among all countries in the study, Chinese consumers register the highest level (36%) for reading “every day or most days,” closely followed by Spain and the UK (32% each). However, if the segment is widened to include both daily readers and those who read “at least once a week,” the international average rises to 59%, with China still firmly in the lead (70% of its population), followed by Russia (59%) and Spain (57%).

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High-income households read books more regularly

GfK also found that more than one-third (35%) of US consumers in high-income households say they read books “every or most days,” compared to one-quarter (26%) in low-income homes. In addition, people in low-income are more than twice as likely to say they “never” read books (14% versus 6%).

These US figures closely track GfK’s global averages, with 35% of people in high-income households worldwide saying they read books every or most days, versus 24% in low-income homes. In addition, 10% in low-income homes claim that they “never” read books, compared to 3% for high-income. 

Women more likely to be avid book readers

GfK’s research also shows that US women are more likely than men to report reading books on an everyday or “most days” basis (34% for women versus 25% for men). In addition, 12% of US men report saying they never read books, compared to 8% of US women.

Globally, 32% of women report reading books every or most days, compared to 27% of men. This gender gap is the largest in the Netherlands (30% for women versus 14% for men) and Spain (40%  versus 25%), followed by Canada (36% women, 23% men) and Germany (31%, 19%).