GermanyThe number of young people aged ten to fifteen purchasing books, e-books, or audiobooks in Germany has dropped by approximately thirty percent between 2024 and 2025, according to data from the German Book Trade Association based on research by YouGov. This decline has raised concerns about declining reading habits among youth. The article attributes this trend partly to social media usage but criticizes Germany’s education policies for failing to ensure widespread literacy skills, citing the IGLU study which found that a quarter of elementary school graduates cannot read proficiently. It also highlights the discontinuation of the 'Lesestart 1-2-3' program, which provided books to infants during health check-ups to encourage early reading. Parents’ lack of engagement in reading with their children and high book prices are also identified as contributing factors.
Bias read (Center): The article presents statistical findings and critiques various stakeholders—including education policy, parents, publishers, and social media—without overtly favoring any particular ideological stance. It cites research and policy decisions neutrally, offering multiple perspectives on the issue of読
