A new French study reveals a significant decline in book reading among the French population. This once-cherished pastime seems to be losing its appeal, potentially leading to serious consequences.
Fresh data from a survey conducted by the Centre national du livre (CNL) has been released, and it paints a concerning picture: the French are increasingly abandoning reading.
The Centre national du livre (CNL), or National Book Centre in English, is a French public administrative institution (établissement public à caractère administratif) operating under the authority of the French Ministry of Culture (Ministère de la Culture). Its primary mission is to support and promote the book industry and reading in France and abroad.
Worrying Results: The French Just Don't Want to Read Anymore!
In short, the study shows that reading is declining across the board in France, with the exception of those aged 65 and over.
For keen observers, this isn't exactly breaking news.
The most significant drop is observed in the 50-64 age group (-13 points, a massive shift!) and the 35-49 age group (-8 points).
Unsurprisingly, younger French people are also reading less, although manga remains popular.
Another interesting statistic: 15% of French people read in digital format (either exclusively or in combination with physical books). As for audiobooks, 32% have listened to one at some point.
Here's how the study was conducted:
- 1001 individuals aged 15 and over were interviewed between January 21st and February 4th, 2025.
- The sample was selected based on the following variables: gender, age, region, urban area size, and profession.
- Source of the study: https://centrenationaldulivre.fr/donnees-cles/les-francais-et-la-lecture-en-2025
The conclusion of this study is very pessimistic:
In a world full of constant stimuli and in a context where all signs are alarming, only clear, determined actions can help safeguard a space favorable to the pleasure, reflection, and tranquility that books and reading fundamentally bring us.
Why Is This Happening? Doomscrolling, Netflix, YouTube, Instagram, Video Games, etc.
If the French aren't reading, how are they entertaining themselves?
Predictably, they're spending more time in front of screens.
This explains why the 50-64 age group is reading less. Just a few years ago, people in this age bracket (born from 1975 onwards) were still holding out. It's important to remember that they didn't get mobile phones and internet access until they were 25-40 years old. So, it took time for their screen consumption habits to change, but it's now happening!
As a result, this generation now has access to services like Netflix (10 million subscribed households in France), Prime Video (9 million), and Disney Plus (5 million), to name just a few (these figures are from 2024).
When you add YouTube, which has over 40 million French users, TikTok (15 million), and Instagram (26 million), it becomes clear that screens are taking up an increasingly large part of French people's lives – source.
There are also video games, with 38.3 million French people aged 10 and over playing video games, at least occasionally, representing 70% of the population – source.
This also explains why seniors aged 65 and over are less affected: they generally consume less digital content and have more traditional entertainment habits: radio, television, and books.
Finally, the recent phenomenon of "doomscrolling" (the practice of endlessly scrolling through social media or news sites to read – often – negative news) makes it easy to understand why the French are reading less.
What Are the Consequences for the French?
The consequences of declining reading are so numerous that they could fill a book!
However, I'm going to skip the economic considerations and instead talk about what it does to you if you stop reading!
No longer reading leads to significant problems for your brain:
- Loss of cognitive abilities, particularly the ability to understand complex texts and ideas.
- Memory atrophy.
- Loss of critical thinking.
- Loss of concentration and attention.
- Lack of knowledge: reading allows us to learn things.
- Loss of the ability to express oneself correctly.
Not reading also has consequences for your health:
- Increased stress and anxiety.
- Increases sleep problems.
- Decreases your empathy.
- You live a shorter life!
Read: all the benefits of reading.
These consequences are unfortunate, but the French are caught in a vicious cycle linked to the overconsumption of social media and alternative entertainment, almost all of which require spending long hours in front of a screen.
There seems to be no escape, and the slow decline of reading in France seems inevitable, especially with the arrival of younger generations who are all reading less than their elders.
The French can always take comfort in the fact that they are not alone in the world, but the decline is no less real!
Original French Article : https://www.liseuses.net/doomscrolling-netflix-et-autres-comment-les-francais-se-detournent-tous-de-la-lecture/
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