20 Countries That Read The Most In A Week

Boasting a strong reading culture, with literary giants like Goethe and Schiller, Germany’s citizens spent an average of 5 hours and 42 minutes reading various forms of literary works. It’s an estimate that’s sure to be on the rise over the next few years, as the nation’s well-funded public libraries keep expanding.

Another example of a country with a strong reading culture Canada’s per capita reading average is of 5 hours and 48 minutes every week. This is an earnest representation of how the reading culture there, incorporating diverse literary themes from Native America, French and Canadian cultures, evolves and grow with each decade.

The reading average in Spain is about the same, around 5 hours and 48 minutes per person, which is a showcase of their nation’s dedication towards the deeply ingrained cultural values of both reading and learning.

With the rising amount of time people spend reading each week, Turkey’s average of 5 hours and 44 minutes is a reflection of the country’s strong emphasis on intellectual engagement with their literature, reading in the pursuit of knowledge.

85% of this nation’s population reads nearly three novels a year, while 37% read almost everyday or multiple times in a week, fascinated by genres like history and fiction. This deep passion for the art of storytelling in all its forms is what take Argentina’s average weekly reading time to 5 hours and 54 minutes.

Indonesia has seen a significant growth in their literacy rate over the past decade, which can be easily seen reflected in their reading average. Although this progress has had its ups and downs, the data reveals that they achieved a peak of 99.78% literacy in 2021. This is likely what takes it above the countries mentioned before, with an average of 6 hours of reading per week.

With a mix of international bestsellers and local stories topping the charts, Australian identity plays a huge role in the literary culture of this country. What’s fascinating is that there’s a rising proportion of readers who prefer alternative to the traditional form of reading, like listening to an audiobook or reading an e-book. This level of adaptability and change probably plays a role in the nation’s 6 hour and 18 minute reading per capita.

2023 surveys indicate that 83% of South Africans read for their own pleasure and knowledge, contributing to why this country has such a large literary footprint. South Americans turn to books as a solution for their problems, earning them the average of 6 hours and 18 minutes per week.

Amidst government initiatives and prominent literary events like the International Book Fair of Venezuela, it’s clear that a strong amount of support exists for the literary community in this country. With most Venezuelans reading books on social issues and international politics, the reading average goes up to 6 hours and 24 minutes.

Boasting a literary history of all kinds of renowned poets, like Adam Mickiewics, books are woven into the very fabric of Polish identity. This, paired with the Polish average of 6 hours and 30 minutes of reading every week, hints at the nation’s robust reading culture.

With an average reading time of 6 hours and 48 minutes, it’s a rare insight into the kind of culture contemporary Arabic literature has fostered in the Middle East. There’s a kind of beauty to Arabian poetry that lives on today, it’s a statistics that shows just how important reading is to Saudi Arabian culture.

Hungary’s literary culture simply pulsates with its own fervour in the modern world, illuminating the reason behind the country’s 6 hour and 48 minute reading average. Although most people still read printed books, there’s a similar attunement to newer reading styles like in Australia, making it one of the European countries that reads the most.

France’s literary culture is made up of thought leaders and thinkers that, throughout history and contemporary times, have challenged societal ways of thinking. Boosted by modern initiatives, digital platforms are also playing a role in the French reading scene, with its impressive average of 6 hours and 54 minutes.

Culturally, reading in Sweden is seen as the ideal way of shaping a responsible citizen. As such the government plays an active role in allowing the freedom of the printing press while laying a particular emphasis on open access to books.

The Czech Republic has a deep and abiding love for literature, a passion perhaps fueled by the history of banned books during the communist era. Literary festivals and readings draw enthusiastic crowds, showcasing both established and emerging Czech authors. The country takes immense pride in its literary heritage, with figures like Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera. It’s no surprise, then, how the country earns its average reading time of 7 hours and 24 minutes.

Egypt boasts a remarkable reading culture, with its citizens dedicating an impressive average of 7 hours and 30 minutes to reading each week. This dedication is further bolstered by The Cairo International Book Fair, one of the Arab world's oldest and largest literary events, which showcases Egypt's commitment to promoting literacy and access to literature.

It’s the Phillipines’ deep-seated love for reading and storytelling that takes them so high, with stories of all kinds (novels, poetries and folklore) explaining the country’s average of 7 hours and 36 minutes every week. The Philippines actively fosters a thriving reading culture, which is already so deeply ingrained in their own values.

The Chinese government prioritizes both literacy and reading, with government initiatives like the Publicity Department's guidelines actively promote reading comprehension and accessibility. The average of eight hours spent reading each week speaks volumes about the nation's dedication to fostering a vibrant reading culture.

Thailand, with its average of 9 hours and 24 minutes of weekly reading, possesses a robust and enduring reading culture that cherishes its rich literary heritage. Bolstering everything everything from classical works to modern novels and captivating poetry, Thailand’s literary game stands strong.

Last but not certainly not the least, India stands at the helm of learning as a nation that holds literature as a very sacred aspect of everyday life with a staggering average of 10 hours and 42 minutes xpent reading. From ancient epics like the Ramayana to literary powerhouses in the contemporary scene like Arundhati Roy or Chetan Bhagat, there’s a diverse array of voices lending power to the powerless in this country.