Mon Feb 02 21:23:00 UTC 2026: ### Kolkata Book Fair Thrives Amidst Concerns Over Declining Reading Habits Among Youth

The Story: The 49th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) 2026 is on track to draw over 2.5 million visitors, a testament to its enduring popularity. However, a recent survey conducted by the Sabar Institute and the Sarojini Naidu College for Women reveals a concerning trend: a significant portion of students in and around Kolkata are reading books only occasionally, while dedicating over two hours daily to social media.

The survey highlights a generational divide, with older students (17-24 age group) showing less engagement with reading compared to their younger counterparts (10-17 age group). The study suggests that post-COVID-19 habits, influenced by social media, are contributing to shorter attention spans and a decline in reading culture, prompting calls for initiatives that promote and cultivate immersive reading habits among young people.

Key Points:

  • The 49th IKBF 2026 anticipates over 2.5 million visitors.
  • A survey in Kolkata and North 24 Parganas reveals that 35% of students aged 17-24 read only occasionally.
  • In the 10-17 age group, nearly 40% read daily, while 30% read occasionally.
  • In the 25-34 age group, 40.6% read occasionally and only 18% read daily.
  • More females (over 40%) in the 18-24 age group spend over two hours on social media daily compared to males (36%). For the 10-17 age group, more boys (33%) use social media for more than 2 hours compared to girls (31%).
  • Heavy social media use and limited access to books are identified as primary barriers to reading.
  • The Sabar Institute advocates for curated reading spaces and initiatives to encourage deeper reading habits.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kolkata Book Fair’s continued success masks a potentially troubling decline in reading habits among young adults in the region.
  • Social media is a significant factor contributing to the decline in reading engagement, particularly among older students.
  • Targeted interventions, such as creating inviting reading spaces and promoting guided reading, are crucial to reversing this trend.
  • Differences exist in media consumption between genders in different age groups: this needs to be considered when creating intervention strategies.
  • Reading preferences differ between students and non-students; males prefer sports and entertainment while females are drawn to academics and literature.

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