Striking results regarding changing reading habits in Iceland

11. December, 2023

This is the seventh year that Icelandic reading habits and attitudes towards reading and literature are examined in a large-scale survey

  • Hljodbaekur-og-hefdbundnar-baekur_1702295007235

The image shows that the use of audio books has increased by 145% in the last 6 years and the reading of books has decreased by 17%.


A new reading survey by the Center for Icelandic Literature, in collaboration with major parties in the literature field, reveals that the nation reads or listens to an average of 2.4 books per month and spends 30 to 60 minutes a day doing so. The main change in reading habits is a significant increase in the use of audio books. It is also worth noting that the group that has read little or nothing is growing.

The complete results of the survey can be accessed here.  (PDF in Icelandic)  


 

 

 


Latest news

Two bibliographies now make it easier to search for Icelandic works in French and Swedish translation - 20. August, 2025 News

These bibliographies are invaluable tools for everyone working within the field of literature and translations, as well as for enthusiastic readers, searching for the works by their favorite author in their preferred language. Hopefully we’ll see more bibliographies like these in the years to come. 

More

This year our Translators' Seminar was dedicated to Sjón - 16. June, 2025 News

The seminar took place in Reykjavík at the end of April and this time the emphasis was on translations of Sjón's works. All participants have one thing in common: they have translated works by the author and poet from Icelandic into their native languages

More

The Grassroot Grants of the Icelandic Literature Center for 2025 go to Karólína Rós Ólafsdóttir and Natan Jónsson - 16. June, 2025 News

Grassroot grants are awarded annually, with the aim of supporting publication of the work of newcomers on the writing scene and encouraging them to further endeavours

More

All news