ADULT BOOK readership in the Philippines declined to 42% in 2023 from 54% in 2012, according to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and the National Book Development Board (NBDB).
The National Readership Survey (NRS) found that only 42% of adults (aged 18 and above) have read non-school books in the past year, while 47% of children (aged 8-17) did so.
Social media played a significant role in the decline of the readership of Filipinos, the NBDB concluded.
听鈥淭here are many distractions for the decline 鈥 social media, devices, environment,鈥 according to NBDB Division Chief Officer in Charge Kevin Ansel S. Dy.
听鈥淭here has been a steady decline in the readership of Filipinos, and we find it very alarming,鈥 he added.
听The survey found that adults and children still prefer reading printed materials over digital. Some 74% of adults preferred reading print books, followed by newspapers (21%) and magazines (17%).
听Meanwhile, 75% of children preferred reading printed books, followed by printed picture books听 (27%), and printed comic books (16%).
听Adults and children also indicated a preference听 for the works of Filipino authors.听鈥 Chloe Mari A. Hufana
