UK Children’s Reading Enjoyment Hits 20-Year-Low According To The National Literacy Trust
National Literacy Trust data from early 2025 paints an alarming picture—how Fonetti is stepping in to help
The National Literacy Trust (NLT) has just released its latest figures on children's and young people’s reading habits for the first half of 2025. Based on responses from over 114,000 pupils across 515 UK schools, the findings are nothing short of concerning.
This data snapshot, covering the first five months of the year, reveals a continued and dramatic decline in both reading enjoyment and daily reading frequency among children aged 5 to 18.
In this blog, we’ll summarise the report’s most worrying findings—and explain how at Fonetti, we’re working to reverse this trend using cutting-edge technology that makes reading not just a habit, but a joy.
You can access the full NLT report here: Children and young people's reading in 2025 | National Literacy Trust
📚 1. Reading Enjoyment Continues to Fall
Perhaps the most distressing figure from this year’s report:
Just 1 in 3 (32.7%) children and young people say they enjoy reading.
This is the lowest figure recorded in two decades, representing a 36% decline in reading enjoyment since 2005.
Even more worrying is the steep drop in enjoyment among primary-aged children and boys aged 11–16—a group already at greater risk of falling behind in literacy.
Reading for pleasure is strongly linked to academic success, emotional wellbeing, and future life opportunities. When children stop enjoying books, we lose more than just reading time—we lose connection, curiosity, confidence, and a vital developmental tool.
📉 2. Reading Frequency is at an All-Time Low
The number of children who read daily in their free time is also plummeting.
In 2025, fewer than 1 in 5 (18.7%) 8- to 18-year-olds said they read something every day outside school—the lowest level ever recorded by the NLT.
Among 5- to 8-year-olds, daily reading fell to 44.5%—a decline of 3.4 percentage points just since 2024.
The daily reading gap between girls and boys has widened to 6.2 percentage points—the biggest since 2023.
Children receiving Free School Meals (FSMs) are reading less frequently than their peers: 15.8% vs. 19.4%.
These aren’t just numbers. They’re warning signs. Children who aren’t reading daily—especially those in underserved communities—are more likely to struggle with reading attainment later in life.
🔊 3. How Fonetti Is Helping to Turn the Page
At Fonetti, we believe every child deserves the joy of reading—and the confidence that comes with it.
We also know that traditional approaches aren’t working for every child. That’s why Fonetti harnesses Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to bring reading to life in a whole new way.
With Fonetti, children read aloud to their device—and the app listens, understands, and encourages them in real time. This not only builds fluency and comprehension, but also restores the sense of pride and fun that should come with reading.
What makes our approach different?
Instant feedback boosts confidence and motivates kids to keep going
Gamified experiences make reading feel like play, not homework
Parental and teacher dashboards track progress and celebrate milestones
We reach children who might not otherwise enjoy reading—from reluctant readers to those with learning differences
Our mission is to reignite reading enjoyment and improve literacy outcomes for every child, no matter their background or reading level.
🛑 It’s Time to Act
The latest data is not just a wake-up call—it’s a call to arms. The UK is facing a literacy crisis, and it’s our responsibility—as educators, parents, and tech innovators—to respond with urgency and creativity.
At Fonetti, we’re committed to using the power of voice, technology, and joyful design to help more children fall in love with reading again.
We invite you to be part of the solution.
📲 Learn more about Fonetti and how it supports children’s reading:
www.fonetti.com
