Survey shows 86% read regularly

The National Book Council said today that it was satisfied that, according to a locally commissioned survey, 86% of the Maltese people read regularly.

The result is far better than a survey commissioned by Eurostat, the EU statistical arm, which, officials said, could give a distorted picture because it is based on a single question about when respondents would have last read a book.

The local survey was based on a wider international definition of reading, including reading a book at least once every two months, read articles on magazines every two weeks or reading items on the internet at least once a week.

"Despite the findings, we are not resting on our laurels, we cannot be satisfied that 14% of respondents said they do not read," Education Minister Dolores Cristina said.

The percentage of those who do not read includes those who said they have no time to read, have lost interest, or are illiterate.

The survey was based on a representative sample of 500, of whom 446 were above the age of 11.

The survey showed that regular readers are in the middle and higher strata of society. Reading in English is more popular, because of the wider choice, but 44% said they prefer reading in Maltese.

Those aged between 35 and 44 prefer to read in bed in the evening while those aged over 66 do most of their reading in the afternoon.

Articles on newspapers and magazines were the most popular form of reading, and books were the least popular.