Do Women Buy and Read More Books Than Men?

Yes—on average, women both buy and read more books than men, and this pattern shows up consistently across multiple studies and countries.

📊 What the data shows

• In the U.S., about 78% of women say they read at least one book in the past year vs. 71% of men. 

• Women are more likely than men to read print books, e-books, and audiobooks. 

• In Europe, roughly 60.5% of women read books compared to 44.5% of men. 

• Women also participate more in reading-related activities like book clubs (about double the rate of men in the U.S.). 

  
  

📚 Buying behavior

• Women are generally considered the primary book buyers, especially in categories like fiction, book clubs, and online reading communities.

• Industry trends show women not only read more, but also drive a large share of book sales, particularly in popular genres.

  
  

🧠 Why this gap exists (common explanations)

Researchers and publishers often point to a mix of factors:

• Genre preferences: Women tend to read more fiction, which dominates book sales.

• Cultural habits: Reading is often more socially encouraged among girls from a young age.

• Leisure choices: Men, on average, spend more time on other media (e.g., gaming, video).

• Community aspect: Women are more likely to join book clubs and reading communities.

  
  

⚖️ Important nuance

• The gap is real but not extreme—many men are avid readers, and the difference varies by age, education, and genre.

• Among younger audiences, especially with platforms like BookTok, the gap may be narrowing slightly.

  
  

👉 Bottom line: Yes—women, on average, read more and buy more books than men, and they are a major driving force in the publishing industry.

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