Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland

Ireland: Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers was 40.1% in 2015. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2015)
40.1%
Change on year
up 10.2%
World rank
47th
of 62 countries
All-time high
40.1%
in 2015
All-time low
4.6%
in 2005
Years of data
13
2003–2015

Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland, 2003–2015

0102030402003200920152003: 6.5 %2004: 6.3 %2005: 4.6 %2006: 9.9 %2007: 11.8 %2008: 18.8 %2009: 23.8 %2010: 21.6 %2011: 32.8 %2012: 33.6 %2013: 33.5 %2014: 36.4 %2015: 40.1 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2015, proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland stood at 40.1%. That is the highest value across all 13 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.2% on the previous year and up 771.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland peaked at 40.1% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 4.6%, in 2005.

That places Ireland 47th out of 62 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers, magazines or electronic books in digital format, 15-24 years old, both sexes (%) in Ireland, 2003 to 2015.
Year % Change
2003 6.5%
2004 6.3% -3.1%
2005 4.6% -27.0%
2006 9.9% +115.2%
2007 11.8% +19.2%
2008 18.8% +59.3%
2009 23.8% +26.6%
2010 21.6% -9.2%
2011 32.8% +51.9%
2012 33.6% +2.4%
2013 33.5% -0.3%
2014 36.4% +8.7%
2015 40.1% +10.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 11.7% 4.6% 23.8% 7
2010s 33.0% 21.6% 40.1% 6

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 44 Morocco 48.4%
  2. 45 Mexico 44.9% compare
  3. 46 Mauritius 43.5% compare
  4. 48 Thailand 39.6% compare
  5. 49 Qatar 34.6% compare
  6. 50 Paraguay 32.1% compare

See the full ranking of 62 places →

More education data for Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland?
Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland was 40.1% in 2015, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers recorded in Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 40.1% in 2015.
What is the lowest proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 4.6% in 2005.
How does Ireland rank for proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers?
Ireland ranks 47th out of 62 countries with data for 2015.
Is proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers rising or falling in Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 771.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Ireland data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers, magazines or electronic books in digital format, 15-24 years old, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-youth-and-adults-that-read-or-downloaded-newspapers-magazines-or-electronic-5/ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers, magazines or electronic books in digital format, 15-24 years old, both sexes (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
62 places, 774 data points, 2002–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release