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

Ireland: Proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers was 39.8% in 2015. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2015)
39.8%
Change on year
up 3.6%
World rank
48th
of 65 countries
All-time high
39.8%
in 2015
All-time low
4.1%
in 2005
Years of data
13
2003–2015

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

0102030402003200920152003: 4.9 %2004: 5.3 %2005: 4.1 %2006: 7.7 %2007: 10.2 %2008: 16.5 %2009: 18.8 %2010: 20.5 %2011: 28.8 %2012: 32.9 %2013: 32.8 %2014: 38.4 %2015: 39.8 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland is 39.8%, measured in 2015. That is the highest value across all 13 years on record.

The figure is up 3.6% on the previous year and up 870.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers in Ireland peaked at 39.8% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 4.1%, in 2005.

That places Ireland 48th out of 65 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the middle of the range.

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, both sexes (%) in Ireland, 2003 to 2015.
Year % Change
2003 4.9%
2004 5.3% +8.2%
2005 4.1% -22.6%
2006 7.7% +87.8%
2007 10.2% +32.5%
2008 16.5% +61.8%
2009 18.8% +13.9%
2010 20.5% +9.0%
2011 28.8% +40.5%
2012 32.9% +14.2%
2013 32.8% -0.3%
2014 38.4% +17.1%
2015 39.8% +3.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 9.6% 4.1% 18.8% 7
2010s 32.2% 20.5% 39.8% 6

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 45 Brazil 47.5% compare
  2. 46 Morocco 46.4%
  3. 47 Georgia 40.2%
  4. 49 Qatar 31.3% compare
  5. 50 Mexico 29.9% compare
  6. 51 Mauritius 27.2% compare

See the full ranking of 65 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 39.8% 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 39.8% in 2015.
What is the lowest proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 4.1% in 2005.
How does Ireland rank for proportion of youth and adults that read or downloaded newspapers?
Ireland ranks 48th out of 65 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 870.7%. 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, 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/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, both sexes (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
65 places, 841 data points, 2002–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release