The Most Book-Reading Nations in the World / The Holy Quran on the List of the Most-Read Books Globally (+Infographic)

According to Mobalegh’s Thought and Culture website, Americans in 2024 topped the list of the world’s most book-reading countries with an average of 357 hours of study per year. The Holy Quran is also the second most-read book in the world.

According to Imena’s narrative, the latest international data on global reading rates in 2024 shows that the United States of America leads the list of book-reading nations. Based on the published report, Americans on average read 7 hours per week, which amounts to 357 hours annually. This figure indicates that Americans spend more time reading books, magazines, and digital resources than any other nation in the world.

After the United States of America, India ranks second globally with an average of about 6 hours and 55 minutes of reading per week, or 352 hours per year. The people of Britain also hold the third position with an average of 6.5 hours of weekly reading, or 343 hours per year. Among European countries, France ranks fourth with 5 hours and 50 minutes of weekly reading (305 hours per year), and Italy is in fifth place with 5 hours and 20 minutes per week (278 hours per year).

In regional comparison, European countries such as Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and Finland are among the highly-reading nations of the European continent. In Asia, India, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Iran are also observed among countries with higher per capita reading. According to the data obtained, Iranians read an average of about 6 hours and 22 minutes per week, which equals 149 hours per year. This figure places Iran in a position similar to countries like Thailand and China, surpassing many Arab countries in the region.

On the other hand, countries located in the Middle East such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have an average reading time of less than three hours per week. At the bottom of the table are countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, and Morocco, where the annual average reading hours are reported to be less than 60 hours. These differences are largely due to cultural, educational, and economic factors of each country and reflect the extent of people’s access to books and educational resources.

In another section of global statistics related to reading, the list of the most-read books in history is mentioned, with the Bible ranking first and the Holy Quran introduced as the second most-read book in the world. The Harry Potter series, Mao Zedong’s Selected Works, and The Lord of the Rings series are considered among the most popular historical works read.

The 2024 report generally shows that developed countries or those with advanced educational systems continue to top the reading charts. Widespread access to print and digital resources, the quality of the educational system, and the promotion of a family reading culture are among the most important factors that have led to an increase in per capita reading in these countries. In contrast, developing countries face numerous challenges such as expensive books, a lack of public libraries, and weak education.

Despite these differences, the global trend indicates that reading continues to play an important role in the cultural and intellectual growth of societies. Even in countries with low per capita reading, the expansion of electronic media, digital books, and cultural campaigns are strengthening the culture of reading again and bringing it back as part of people’s daily lives.