Reading

Reading is a favourite activity for about 61 per cent of Australians aged 15 years and over, according to a 2006 survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Women like reading more than men - 73 per cent of women considering it a favourite activity, compared to 50 per cent of men.

Of those surveyed, 77 per cent read newspapers; 58 per cent read magazines; and 48 per cent read books, at least once a week.

People aged 45-64 were the most likely to read frequently, as were people with university or higher qualifications.

Two million children aged 5–14 years reported reading for pleasure outside of school hours during the last two school weeks prior to interview.

Between 2003 and 2006, the percentage of children reading for pleasure remained steady at about 74 per cent.

Source

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, 2006, unpublished data (cat. no. 4228.0).

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, April 2006 (cat. no. 4901.0).

Links

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Arts and Culture in Australia: A Statistical Overview, 2007, Literature and Print Media (cat. no. 4172.0). 

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Book Publishers, 2003–04 (cat. no. 1363.0). 

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Book Retailers, 2003–04 (cat. no. 1371.0).