Report shows rich-poor divide: rich read, poor watch

A research report from the English charity Booktrust, based on a survey of 1,500 adults, indicates a "worrying cultural divide" with poor adults much less likely to read books than their richer neighbors. The country is divided into two nations, those who read weekly or daily, and those who prefer TV and DVDs, it says. The study found that on average, the richer someone's background, the more likely they are to read.

More than one in four (27%) of adults from the poorest socio-economic backgrounds said they never read books themselves, compared with just 13% of those from the richest socio-economic backgrounds. And more than six in 10 (62%) of those from the richest backgrounds said they read daily or weekly, compared with four in 10 (42%) of those from the poorest.

The study concludes that, on average, people who read regularly are more satisfied with life, happier and more likely to feel their life is worthwhile.Viv Bird, chief executive of Booktrust, said: "This research indicates that frequent readers are more likely to be satisfied with life, happier and more successful in their professional lives. "But there is a worrying cultural divide linked to deprivation. There will never be a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to social mobility, but reading plays an important role - more action is needed to support families."