The World Economic Forum shared that Generation Z, the group born between 1997 and 2015, has shown a surprising preference for print books over e-books, despite their reputation for being addicted to technology.
According to the WEF, McKinsey has reported that book sales in the US and UK have soared in the last two years, and this trend is partly due to Gen Z’s social media presence: for example, the use of the hashtag #BookTok on TikTok.
Moreover, a recent Nielsen BookData study revealed that print books were the most popular way to read among UK book buyers aged 13 to 24, accounting for 80% of purchases between November 2021 and November 2022. In contrast, e-books made up only 14% of sales during the same period. This trend suggests that despite their love of technology, Gen Z prefers the timeless feel of paperback books.
World Book Day is celebrated annually on April 23rd, and Intergraf joins in the celebration of this occasion. As an organization that represents the printing and graphic industries, we recognize the essential role that books play in our lives. Books not only provide us with knowledge and entertainment, but they also serve as a means of communication, sharing ideas, and preserving culture. As we continue to navigate the digital age, books have enduring value as transmitters of knowledge, entertainment, and equality of access to information while ensuring a balanced information diet.
Source – Intergraf May 2023