According to a 2013 study conducted by the World Culture Score Index, India holds the distinction of being the most book-loving nation in the world. Surveying 1,600 individuals across 30 countries, the study revealed that the average Indian spends a remarkable 10.42 hours per week reading, outpacing countries known for their literary traditions.
This finding highlights India’s deep-rooted culture of reading, which spans from ancient texts to modern literature in multiple languages. The impressive reading time places India ahead of other nations like Thailand and China, which also recorded high weekly averages but fell short of India’s top position.
Experts attribute India’s reading habit to a blend of rich literary heritage, an expansive educational focus, and the growing popularity of digital reading platforms that have made books more accessible than ever before. From metro cities to smaller towns, libraries, book fairs, and mobile reading apps continue to fuel the country’s passion for the written word.
As the world becomes increasingly digital, India’s commitment to reading—whether through traditional print or new technologies—sets a shining example of how a nation can preserve and celebrate its literary spirit in the modern age.
