The Majority of Icelanders Reads Books. Women Read More than Men.
A vast majority believes it is important for literature to have access to governmental support.
The Icelandic Literature Center recently conducted a survey regarding public opinion in Iceland concerning book reading, translations, libraries, and governmental support for literature.
The Icelandic Literature Center recently conducted a survey regarding public opinion in Iceland concerning book reading, translations, libraries, and governmental support for literature.
The results strongly indicate that reading still plays a pivotal role in the life of Icelanders and that people are positive towards literature, reading, and governmental support for the literary sector. Interestingly, respondents aged 18-24 believe, more than other age groups, that it is important for Icelandic literature to have access to governmental support. Men read an average of two books a month and women read an average of three and a half books a month, and are more in favour of governmental support for literature than men. Friends and relatives have the greatest influence regarding choice of reading material, but media coverage also has a substantial impact.
- According to the survey results, a vast majority of the public, or 79%, believes that it is important for Icelandic literature to have access to governmental support, and this is a higher percentage compared to a similar survey conducted last year. The majority of this group is women and people between 18-24 years of age.
Image 1. Results to the question: “How important or not important do you believe it is for Icelandic literature to have access to governmental support?” The image depicts the percentage of those who responded. (Mikilvægt/important, hvorki né/neither, lítilvægt/not important.)
- The results show that 72% of respondents have read or listened to a book/books in the past 30 days, in part or in full. Around 86% of those have read printed books in the past 12 months, 31% has read e-books, and 35% have listened to audio books. Men read an average of two books a month while women read 3,5.
Image 2. Results to the question: “How many books have you read or listened to over the past 30 days, in part or in full?“ The image depicts the percentage of those who responded. (5 eða fleiri/5 or more, enga/none.)
- According to the results 56% of respondents get tips for reading material from friends and relatives, around 40% from media coverage, 30% from social media, around 26% in book stores, around 25% from advertisements, and around 20% in libraries.
Image 3. Results to the question: “Where do you mostly get ideas for reading material?” The image shows the percentage of those who responded. Respondents could select up to three options.
- Friends/relatives - 55,5%
- Media coverage (radio, TV, newspapers etc.) - 40,3%
- Discussions on social media - 30,0%
- Bookstores - 25,7%
- Advertisements - 24.6%
- Libraries - 20,4%
- Online bookstores - 12,1%
- Goodreads or other similar book-related apps - 9,0%
- Influencers - 6,5%
- Book-clubs - 4,0%
- Other - 6,7%