Sweden has long been known for its love of literature and strong reading culture. With authors like Astrid Lindgren and Stieg Larsson in their literary legacy, Swedish books have reached readers all over the world. But recently, a worrying trend has emerged in the country - a dramatic decline in the number of students picking up books for pleasure.
According to statistics from Statistics Norway (SCB), the number of young people aged 15 to 24 who read books in their free time has decreased significantly in recent years. Sweden, once known for its reading population, now has a proportion of young people who never or rarely read books, and this proportion is increasing worryingly. This development has caused many to worry about the future of Swedish literature and culture.
Several factors are believed to be responsible for the Swedish reading crisis. One of the most tangible is increasing digitalization and access to alternative forms of entertainment. As smartphones, social media and streaming services compete for young people's attention, books are sometimes overshadowed by digital screens.
School also plays an important role in this development. Pressure on students to perform well on standardized tests and assessment systems can lead them to view reading as a chore rather than a pleasure. This in turn can reduce motivation to read in your free time.
Reduced reading has far-reaching consequences for society. Reading promotes language development, critical thinking and imagination. If fewer young people choose to read books, this may have a negative impact on these skills, which may have consequences for their academic success and personal development.
Reversing Sweden's reading crisis requires collaboration from multiple actors. Schools must promote reading for pleasure and provide students with opportunities to learn about different genres and authors. Parents and guardians can play a crucial role in guiding and encouraging their children to read.
This week politicians also intervened and announced that from 2025 all students will be entitled by law to a manned school library. Education Minister Lotta Edholm (Liberalerna) believes that a well-functioning school library with school librarians can have a big impact on reading.
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