The National Literacy Trust has been asking children and young people about their enjoyment of listening to audio formats since 2020. In 2024, more than 37,000 8 to 18-year-olds who said they listened to audiobooks and podcasts in their free time were asked about their attitudes and feelings about listening. Findings show that many children and young people continued to enjoy, and were inspired by, listening to audio.
At a time when reading for enjoyment levels are at an all-time low, findings suggest that listening to audio formats, including audiobooks and podcasts, has the potential to support learning, wellbeing and reading engagement in many children and young people.