Rwandan Youth Lead Reading Culture as 77% Embrace Book Reading

Rwanda’s youth have emerged as the leading group promoting a culture of reading, with 77 percent actively engaging in book reading, according to a new survey by the National Culture Council.

The findings were released on Monday, December 22, 2025, during an exhibition organized by the National Library of Rwanda, which showcased services and data on reading habits across the country.

Youth Dominate Reading Habits Nationwide

The study on Rwanda’s cultural heritage indicators for the 2024/2025 period shows that 68.2 percent of Rwandans have a reading culture. Young people account for the largest share of readers.

Among age groups, those aged 15 to 25 recorded the highest reading rate at 77.2 percent. This was followed by individuals aged 26 to 35 at 69.2 percent, those aged 36 to 50 at 64 percent, and people above 50 years at 57.6 percent.

Eastern Province Tops Regional Rankings

Data analyzed by province and the City of Kigali indicate that the Eastern Province leads with 79.7 percent of residents reporting a reading culture. The Northern Province follows at 76.7 percent.

The City of Kigali ranks third with 68.2 percent, while the Southern Province stands at 66.5 percent. The Western Province recorded the lowest rate at 56.6 percent.

Urban and Rural Reading Levels Nearly Equal

The survey also shows minimal differences between urban and rural areas. Urban residents recorded a reading rate of 68.3 percent, compared to 67.6 percent among rural populations.

Educational Books Most Read

Educational books are the most popular reading materials in Rwanda. These include publications on economics, science, governance, development, and health, accounting for 32 percent of reading preferences.

Religious books follow at 24 percent, history books at 22 percent, literature at 16 percent, while newspapers are read by only 6 percent of respondents.

Authorities Call for Improved Reading Culture

Speaking on the findings, the Chairperson of the National Culture Council, Ambassador Robert Masozera, said the reading culture remains below expectations when compared to national literacy levels.

“Only 68.2 percent of Rwandans have a reading culture, which is not satisfactory,” he said. “Given that literacy rates are higher, we believe this figure should increase.”

He noted that while digital reading has grown, traditional library use has declined, calling for renewed efforts to promote reading habits among all age groups.

Barriers to Reading Identified

The study found that 31.8 percent of Rwandans do not read books. Among them, 45.6 percent said they do not value reading, while 35.4 percent cited limited access to books.

Other reasons include a lack of libraries at 9.8 percent, language barriers at 7.2 percent, and high book costs at 2.1 percent.

Families Urged to Promote Reading at Home

The National Culture Council emphasized the role of families in nurturing reading habits among children. While 69.6 percent of respondents said they encourage children to read, 30.4 percent admitted they do not.

Officials say strengthening reading culture is critical for education, innovation, and national development.