Comparing the reading habits of 5 generations (infographic)

The newest infographic compares the book reading habits of Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation.

It is common knowledge that Millennials read more books and visit libraries more often than any other generation. They prefer print books over digital ones, read literature for entertainment, and prefer reading news instead of watching them.

How do the Millennials compare to Generation X or Baby Boomers? Finally, there is a handy visual that analyses reading habits of all five age groups.

Lachlan Brown, the founder and editor of Best by the Numbers, has just released a stunning infographic called Which generation reads the most? It’s the most comprehensive source of data that relates to book reading across five generations, from Generation Z to The Silent Generation.

The infographic starts with a breakdown of the five generation groups to let you easily spot which one you belong to.

💬 In 2020, if you’re aged between 5 and 25, you’re in Generation Z. Millennials are 26 to 40. Generation X are 41 to 55, and Baby Boomers are 56-75 years old. The Silent Generation are aged 76+.

The visual shows which generations read the most books, which prefer print to digital, and which rely on print news media over online.

The next section ranks generations according the percentage that visited a library in the past 12 months. Millennials top the list with 53%. They are followed by Gen X (45%) and Baby Boomers (43%). The Silent Generation, with only 35%, is far behind.

Do you want to learn about favorite genres of the five generations? Mystery and suspense novels are favorite reads by The Silent Generation (71%). Baby Boomers love thrillers (43%), while Generation Z prefer fantasy (53%) and YA literature (49%). Generation X read across all genres.

The main part of the infographic, however, is a breakdown of reading habits by generation. Here are the highlights:

Reading habits of Gen Z (aged 5-25) – 50% of 6-8 year olds read for fun 5-7 days a week. Teenage girls read more fiction than boys, who prefer comic books. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a favorite book of Gen X.

Reading habits of Millennials (aged 26-40) – they prefer reading print books over ebooks. 72% have read a print book, while only 35% an ebook in the past year. 53% of Millennials have used a public library or bookmobile in the last 12 months. “Cosmopolitan” and “People” are their favorite magazines.

Reading habits of Gen X (aged 41-55) – they are more likely to use a tablet for reading than any other generation. They prefer to read online news to print, and spend on average 54 minutes a day for news. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is their favorite read.

Reading habits of Baby Boomers (aged 56-75) – 70% read a book in any format, with 64% picking a print book and 24% ebook. Baby Boomers who were read to as a kid are more likely to return the favor.

Reading habits of the Silent Generation (aged 76+) – they are least likely to read a book in a digital format (19% versus 24-35% in other generations). They get their news from print newspapers – 39% compared to 22% of Gen Z and 26% of Millennials.

Click or tap the infographic to see it in full resolution. Make sure to read the original post for more details, facts, and numbers.

Via Best by the Numbers.

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