Podcast: A Peek Into Canadians' Reading

Why It Matters

The data signals a resilient Canadian reading market, offering publishers and retailers confidence in demand for books—especially local titles—and highlights shifting consumer motivations toward health‑focused reading.

Key Takeaways

• 79% of Canadians read a book in 2025, slight decline since 2015
• Daily reading stays around one‑third, unlike the US’s steady drop
• 18‑29‑year‑olds read most frequently, 92% read at least once
• Books by Canadian authors rose to 35% of reads in 2025
• Reading for brain health climbs, while learning‑driven reading declines

Pulse Analysis

Canada’s reading habits remain robust despite global headlines of declining literary engagement. The 2025 BookNet Canada survey reveals that 79% of the population picked up a book in the past year, a modest contraction from 84% a decade earlier. More encouraging is the recent reversal: the share of weekly readers has nudged upward, and daily reading hovers around a third of Canadians—far steadier than the United States, where the American Time Use Survey records a consistent drop. The primary motivations—enjoyment, relaxation, and escapism—continue to dominate, while health‑oriented reading gains traction.

Young adults are driving much of the optimism. In 2025, 92% of 18‑ to 29‑year‑olds reported reading at least once, the highest rate since the survey began. Over half of this cohort reads weekly, and a third reads daily, with an increasing proportion tackling six to eleven books annually. This surge coincides with a growing appetite for Canadian content; the share of books by or about Canadian authors climbed from 28% in 2021 to 35% in 2025. Such trends suggest that younger readers are not only more engaged but also more supportive of domestic publishing.

For industry stakeholders, the findings translate into actionable insight. Publishers can lean into the steady demand for local titles and health‑focused nonfiction, while retailers might prioritize formats that cater to frequent readers, such as e‑books and audiobooks. The stability in daily reading counters fears of a market collapse and underscores the value of targeted marketing to younger demographics. As the full report releases on May 5, businesses that align strategies with these nuanced habits will be best positioned to capture growth in Canada’s vibrant book ecosystem.