World’s top 15 countries for booklovers
Researchers reveal having more books at home when growing up improves educational outcomes
A new study has revealed which countries are the world’s biggest bookworms - and Estonia leads the way.
Researchers at the Australian National University and University of Nevada in the US surveyed adults across 31 countries, between the ages of 25 and 65, and asked them how many books they had in their home when they were 16.
On average, Estonians owned 218 books per house, with a third of respondents from the country owning 350 books or more.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The study also found that “having more books growing up, even if you don’t necessarily read more, improves educational outcomes”, says The Guardian.
The study established that the number of household books at age 16 had a positive correlation with literacy, numeracy and IT skills in later years - independent of how much tertiary study a person did, or how often they read as an adult.
They found the positive impact was greatest for those with higher levels of disadvantage, “meaning lower income families could narrow the education gap by exposing their children to more books in the house”, says The Guardian.
“Literacy-wise, bookish adolescence makes up for a good deal of educational advantage,” the report said.
In the paper, titled Scholarly Culture: How Books in Adolescence Enhance Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Technology Skills in 31 Societies and published in the journal Social Science Research, the team wrote: “Adolescent exposure to books is an integral part of social practices that foster long-term cognitive competencies spanning literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.
“Growing up with home libraries boosts adult skills in these areas beyond the benefits accrued from parental education or own educational or occupational attainment.”
The top 15 countries for booklovers:
1 Estonia - 218 (average number of books per house when people were 16)2 Norway - 2123 Czech Republic - 2044 Denmark - 1925 Russia - 1546 Germany - 1517 Australia - 1488 UK - 1439 Canada - 12510 France - 11711 USA - 11412 Ireland - 10713 Japan - 10214 Belgium - 9515 Chile - 52
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published