Iranian Reading Statistics; From Surface to Depth
The Culture and Publishing Service of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) reports that the October 2025 survey initially presents a picture of a society with low reading rates, but in its deeper layers, it reveals signs of a fundamental change in how Iranians engage with books and knowledge. This society has not turned away from books; instead, it is inventing new methods to maintain its connection with them.
The initial statistics from the October 2025 survey might raise doubts in media and cultural circles: only 41.1% of respondents identified themselves as readers, while 58.9% never read books. This figure shows a significant disparity compared to global standards. However, a more accurate analysis is not complete by merely focusing on the 58.9% who do not read; rather, attention must be paid to the behavior of the 41.1% of culturally active individuals.
Contrary to the common perception of a superficial reading society, this report indicates that active readers pursue more regular and in-depth study. The average non-academic reading time for this group is 186 minutes per week, equivalent to approximately 26.6 minutes per day.
This number, compared to previous surveys published in the ‘Issues of Iran’s Book Industry’ report, has not only not decreased but has experienced an upward trend. This attests that, despite all economic, media, and social pressures, there is a ‘hardcore and committed nucleus’ of readers in Iranian society who have transformed reading into a daily, deeply rooted habit.
If we consider the entire sample population, the average reading time reaches 10.9 minutes per day. Although this amount is low, it indicates that reading has not completely ceased; instead, it has shifted towards short-term, dispersed, but potentially continuous reading. This reading pattern is entirely consistent with the ‘culture of acceleration’ and time scarcity in modern Iranian life, and cultural analysts should focus on the continuity of these short periods and how to transform them into long-term habits, rather than condemning the quantity.
The evolution in reading formats is a key point, showing that the desire to read is alive, but its form has adapted to new technologies. Printed books still remain the preferred format at 52.4%. This persistence indicates that the physical sensation of a book, the possibility of higher concentration, and detachment from digital distractions continue to be of fundamental importance for half of readers.
Alongside this, a significant portion of people use new formats. 18.5% prefer e-books, and 11.7% prefer audiobooks. A very important point is that 17.5% use all three formats. The total number of those who utilize new formats (electronic, audio, or combined) reaches approximately 47.7%, indicating that nearly half of the reading community has moved reading beyond the exclusive domain of paper, making it ‘technology-centric’.
Contrary to common stereotypes accusing the younger generation of disinterest in books, the report’s data shows that the middle and younger generations (especially those aged 30 to 49), comprising over 51.5% of the studied sample, are shaping a new generation of readers. The 11.7% embrace of audiobooks and the tendency to use multiple formats (evident in this age group) clearly indicate that reading is becoming localized with their fast-paced lifestyle. This generation has linked reading to simultaneous activities (driving, exercising, commuting, and housework), transforming reading from a passive activity into a ‘multitasking’ one.
This transformation itself is a sign of cultural intelligence for maintaining a connection with deep content amidst time scarcity.
Analyzing reading motivations clarifies that books still maintain their position as a ‘medium for personal growth and development.’ Among readers, over 64% have motivations based on personal development and advancement:
- 33%: Knowledge acquisition
- 31.4%: Personal growth
- Only 19.2%: Entertainment
- 16.4%: Professional or academic needs
This distribution shows that in Iranian society, books are a serious tool for intellectual and professional advancement. In an era where acquiring soft skills and specialized knowledge has gained double importance, books are referenced as a credible and profound source, playing a key role in the knowledge-based economy.
Popular topics also confirm this approach. Although novels and stories lead with 21.2%, subjects such as psychology and education (15.4%), history (15%), and specialized works (14.7%) collectively account for approximately 45%. This combination indicates that reading in Iran is not merely for ‘leisure and entertainment,’ but covers a combination of cognitive (historical and specialized) and emotional-social (psychology) needs.
Paying attention to obstacles and public perceptions is key to understanding the current situation and planning for the future. The most significant barrier to not reading books is lack of time (49.7%). These statistics indicate that the problem for Iranian society is not ‘disinterest’ in reading, but ‘lack of time and heavy workload,’ which primarily stems from livelihood issues and economic pressures. This is an opportunity; because if time barriers are removed, this hidden interest can transform into continuous reading behavior.
35.3% of respondents identified ‘reduction of financial pressure and economic concerns’ as the main solution for increasing reading, and 21.8% emphasized ‘easy and affordable access to books.’ These data demonstrate the deep link between reading and purchasing power and general livelihood. Books, in the Iranian household consumption basket, remain a flexible commodity that is removed from the basket with increased economic pressure. This underscores the necessity of enacting serious supportive policies to make books more affordable and facilitate access to library resources.
Perhaps the most surprising data is that 81.4% of people believe ‘Iranians read less.’ This collective admission and self-judgment should not be considered a cultural failure. On the contrary, this statistic is a strong sign of the sensitivity and importance of reading in the public consciousness. If reading had completely fallen from cultural value, society would no longer worry or judge it. This level of sensitivity can be used as a cultural lever to encourage people to read more in the future.
The October 2025 report paints a clear picture that Iranian society is moving away from a traditional, monolithic reading pattern towards a multi-format, flexible, and personal growth-oriented model. The data suggests that Iranian society has ‘low reading rates,’ but despite active nuclei, the use of new formats, and strong growth motivations, it is never ‘non-reading’.
The future path of cultural development depends on a precise understanding of these changes; focus must be placed on improving the quality of the active core, facilitating access in new formats, and removing economic obstacles, so that the hidden desire for reading in Iranian society can flourish.
