15/08/2025
📉 Indonesia’s culture of reading books has been declining since 2015, and its literacy level or interest in reading continues to lag behind other countries.
UNESCO once ranked Indonesia second to last in terms of world literacy, demonstrating that interest in reading is very low, only 0.001%.
📚 This means that out of 1,000 Indonesians, only one is an avid reader.
In a survey conducted by Central Connecticut State University in March 2016, Indonesia ranked 60th out of 61 countries in terms of reading interest. Meanwhile, in 2020, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showed that only around 10% of the Indonesian population read books.
But it wasn’t always this way. Indonesia’s first leaders were also avid readers, and the country’s book culture helped influence the start of this nation.
For example, the extensive reading of Mohammad Hatta, Soekarno, Soetan Sjahrir, and Tan Malaka helped them develop critical thinking and political strategies, as well as their vision for an independent Indonesia.
For more on the history of reading in Indonesia and where modern book culture stands, read here: https://www.nowjakarta.co.id/a-passionate-call-for-the-return-of-indonesias-golden-age-of-reading-books/
