While many Ukrainians believe reading is good for self-development and half of them call reading their hobby, not many actually read books. The reason for that is lack of interest, sociologists say.
Ukrainians
lose interest in reading every year, just like the rest of the world. Some 43
percent of Ukrainians did not read a single a book over the last year,
according to the recent Ukrainian survey conducted within the Book Platform, an
EU-funded project dedicated to publishing and book distribution business. Overall an average Ukrainian
reads around 4
books a year.
This rate is much lower than in Europe or the U.S.
Russians
though read even less than Ukrainians – 46 percent of Russians did not read
books last year, while in the UK only 34 percent said they did without books
last year and only 19 percent of such people in the U.S.
Yet many in
Ukraine believe they are
good readers. “78 percent of Ukrainians responded they read books,” says
Viktoriya Brynza, a sociologist and analyst of expert company Pro.mova, which
was among the companies which conducted the survey.
According
to Brynza Ukrainians prefer reading political and economic news, fiction and
tabloids.
The survey
revealed there are people among us who do not read at all. “12 percent of
Ukrainians said in the poll that they do not read any texts at all,” Brynza says.
Experts say people’s reluctance for reading is not connected with absence of
interesting books or lack of diligence.
“People
don’t read, because they do not have the need to read,” Brynza explains. Over one
tenth of Ukrainians would rather choose chatting with friends, watching TV,
surfing the net to making more intellectual efforts.
More than 85
percent of respondents confessed – reading is not a priority for them, however
they understand that it is important for self- development.
Brynza of
Pro.mova explains – self-development is the last priority for Ukrainians,
unfortunately. “Top priorities are decent earnings, accommodation and good
nutrition,” she says.
The results
of the poll generally meet Abraham Maslow pyramid of needs, yet sociologists
say one important object should be mentioned. “Age, income or social statuses
do not affect people’s reading. A person simply may like reading or not,”
Brynza says.
Kyiv Post staff writer
Nataliya Trach can be reached at [email protected]
