50 Media Literacy Statistics in Gen Z and Beyond

There is a lot of speculation about Generation Z and the current standard of literary education. Our team did the research to see how many of them are actually reading and if so, what they like to read.

You can also check out our Top 9 Tools for Students and Researchers to get more insight into what’s trending at the moment.

Global Decline in Reading Enthusiasm

• The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) reported that fourth graders in 2016 were markedly less enthusiastic about reading than their predecessors in 2001 in 13 out of 20 countries and territories surveyed. (PIRLS)
  
  

• In the UK, a Nielsen Book survey found that 72% of children were read to by their parents at least once per week, highlighting the role of parental involvement in fostering reading habits. (Nielsen Book Survey)
  
  

• The widespread access to internet-enabled devices among Gen Z has led to concerns about the information children are exposed to online, potentially affecting their literacy development. (ACM Digital Library)
  
  

• A report highlighted how narrowing vocabulary among children negatively impacted their academic performance. (The Literacy Trust)
  
  

• Over 42% of children aged 8-18 preferred listening to audiobooks, an increase from 39.4% in 2023. (The Bookseller)
  
  

• The same FICO study revealed that 98% of respondents, including Millennials, expressed interest in learning about personal finance, underscoring a desire for financial literacy. (Investopedia)
  
  

• Impact of Financial Illiteracy on Goals: A quarter of Gen Z adults reported that a lack of financial skills hindered their financial goals over the past year, emphasizing the practical implications of financial illiteracy. (Investopedia)
  
  

• Recent OECD findings suggest a significant decline in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills across 11 out of 31 assessed countries, affecting even university graduates. (Financial Times)
  
  

• Technological Impact on Literacy: The shift towards digital communication and social media is hypothesized to contribute to reduced literacy levels, affecting critical thinking and information processing skills among Millennials and Gen X. (Financial Times)
  
  

• The FICO survey indicated a strong correlation between financial literacy and perceived financial stability, with many Millennials acknowledging that improved financial knowledge could enhance their financial situations. (Investopedia)
  
  

• Youth literacy rates vary globally, with some regions achieving near-universal literacy, while others face significant challenges, reflecting diverse educational outcomes among Millennials and Gen X. (UNESCO)

 
Daily Reading Habits

• A 2024 National Literacy Trust survey found that only 34.6% of eight- to 18-year-olds in the UK enjoy reading in their free time, the lowest level in nearly two decades. (The Guardian)
  
  

• The same survey reported that just 20.5% of children read daily in their free time. (The Guardian)
  
  

• The 2024 National Literacy Trust survey highlighted a significant gender gap, with fewer boys than girls expressing enjoyment in reading. (The Guardian)
  
  

• Members of Generation Z spend an average of six hours daily on the internet, with a significant portion dedicated to playing video games. (Mckinsey & Co.)
  
  

• In New Zealand, psychologists have observed a decline in vocabulary usage among schoolchildren, with many reluctant to use dictionaries. (School Psychology International)
  
  

• Nine-Year-Olds' Reading Frequency: In the United States, the percentage of nine-year-olds who read for fun "almost every day" decreased from 53% in 2012 to 39% in 2022. (arts.gov)
  
  

• A 2024 survey by the National Literacy Trust found that only 20.5% of children aged 8 to 18 read daily in their free time, marking the lowest level in nearly two decades. (The Guardian)
  
  

Screen Time vs. Reading

• A 2013 survey noted that children reported spending more time on video games, YouTube, and texting, leading to an eight percent drop in reading time. (Nature 2022 Report)
  
  

• Between 2012 and 2013, the percentage of non-readers among UK children aged 11 to 17 grew from 13% to 27%. (The Guardian)
  
  

• The same period saw an increase in light readers (those reading less than 15 minutes per week) from 23% to 27% among UK teens. (Farshore)
  
  

• Heavy readers (reading at least 45 minutes per week) in the UK remained relatively stable, growing slightly from 15% to 16% between 2012 and 2013. (PIRLS 2021)
  
  

• The 2018 International Computer and Information Literacy Study found that only 2% of eighth-graders globally demonstrated high proficiency in digital literacy, and just 19% could independently use computers for information gathering and work management. (International Computer and Information Literacy Study)

Influence of Booktok

• A 2013 Nielsen Book survey indicated that 36% of UK children read books for pleasure daily, and 60% read weekly. (Nielsen Book Survey)
  
  

• The same Nielsen Book survey found that 72% of UK children were read to by their parents at least once a week. (Nielsen Book Survey)
  
  

• Despite digital trends, Generation Z readers show a preference for print books over electronic ones. (Love Paper)
  
  

• The BookTok community on TikTok has significantly impacted Generation Z's reading habits, with many members actively participating. (Eastasouth Institute)
  
  

• 2019 study found that only 2% of eighth-graders globally were proficient with information devices, challenging the notion of Gen Z as digital natives. (International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing)
  
  

Digital Skills and Online Exposure

• A survey conducted by Boston University's College of Communication and Ipsos found that nearly three out of four Americans (72%) believe media literacy skills are crucial for identifying intentionally misleading or inaccurate information. (Boston University)
  
  

• In the U.S., 65% of eighth-graders reported being self-taught information finders on the internet. (Pew Research Centre)
  
  

• A study published in the Journal of Communication analyzed 51 media literacy interventions and found that these programs had positive effects on various outcomes, including media knowledge, critical thinking, and behavioral beliefs, with an average effect size of 0.37. (PMC)
  
  

• A 2019 National Literacy Trust survey showed that only 26% of people under 18 read daily, the lowest since 2005. (National Literacy Trust)
  
  

• A report titled "Snapshot 2024: The State of Media Literacy Education in the US" emphasizes the importance of media literacy education in promoting critical awareness and resisting harmful media influences. (NAMLE)
  
  

• Between the mid-1970s and mid-2010s, studies indicated a decline in vocabulary proficiency among U.S. adults across all education levels, with the most significant drop observed among those with at least a bachelor's degree. (The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)

Financial Literacy Perception

• A FICO study found that 28% of Gen Z respondents (aged 18 to 27) felt financially illiterate, higher than millennials (20%) and baby boomers (10%). (FICO)
  
  

• The same study noted that half of Gen Z respondents valued learning personal finance, especially managing accounts and understanding credit scores. (Investopedia)
  
  

• A quarter of Gen Z adults reported that a lack of financial skills hindered their financial goals over the past year. (Investopedia)
  
  

• Despite digital trends, a 2023 survey indicated that Gen Z still preferred print books. (The Bookseller)
  
  

• A 2024 FICO study found that 20% of Millennials (ages 28 to 43) considered themselves financially illiterate, highlighting a need for enhanced financial education within this demographic. (FICO)
  
  

• Among Gen Z individuals aged 18 to 27, 28% felt financially illiterate, suggesting a generational gap in financial knowledge. (Investopedia)
  
  

• The FICO study highlighted that Millennials value financial education, with many expressing interest in learning about personal finance to achieve financial stability. (Investopedia)

Global Trends in Youth Literacy

• In Scotland, a quarter of 11-year-olds struggle with reading, writing, and arithmetic, indicating significant generational literacy concerns. (The Times)
  
  

• Over 80% of 10-year-olds in South Africa cannot read for meaning, prompting a national emphasis on early childhood education to address this issue. (The Guardian)
  
  

• In Australia, one-third of students fail to meet baseline literacy standards, with disadvantaged groups most affected, highlighting generational disparities in literacy. (The Australian)
  
  

• In the United States, only 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost daily in 2023, down from 35% in 1984, suggesting a generational shift away from reading for enjoyment. (Vox)
  
  

• According to UNESCO data, youth literacy rates vary significantly across regions, with some areas achieving near-universal literacy and others facing substantial challenges. (UNESCO)
  
  

• In response to low literacy rates, South Africa has introduced a compulsory year of schooling for five to six-year-olds and moved early learning centers under the basic education department. (The Guardian)
  
  

• A 2019 OECD survey found that Generation Z spends more time on electronic devices and less time reading books, which may affect their literacy development. (OECD)
  
  

• Between 2012 and 2013, the percentage of British children who read for pleasure daily decreased from 36% to 26%, indicating a generational decline in reading habits. (gov.uk)
  
  

• A 2020 Childwise report revealed that among British children aged 7 to 16, the average daily phone usage is over three hours, with 57% sleeping with their phones beside them, potentially impacting literacy. (Childwise)

Do you feel you have a better understanding of children’s literacy? We tap into how to improve reading comprehension in students on our blog, as well as how to read PDFs using a designated viewer, which can help children with learning difficulties.