A new survey by the National Literacy Trust has revealed that children and teenagers in the UK are developing a renewed enthusiasm for reading, marking a significant shift after years of decline. According to the research, more than one in three children (36.1%) say they like picking up books in their spare time, a rise from 32.7% in 2025. This increase is a welcome change for the UK's literacy charity, which has been working to promote a love of reading among young people.
The survey also found that daily reading habits have improved, with one in five children (20.3%) aged eight to 18 reading every day, up from 18.7% last year. This positive trend is particularly evident in the 14-to-16 and 16-to-18 age groups, where reading enjoyment rose to 35% and 49.4% respectively this year. However, the research also highlighted a widening gap in reading enjoyment between those who received free school meals and those who did not.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has welcomed the increase in reading enjoyment, saying that it 'fills her with hope' for the future. She has also made 2026 the National Year of Reading, aiming to promote a love of reading among all young people. The National Literacy Trust's research suggests that teachers and parents are playing a crucial role in encouraging young people to read, with two-thirds of children saying they were urged to pick up a book by teachers and over half by their parents.