Fifty six percent of adults in Poland did not read a single book last year, according to new a report by the National Library.

One-in-four university graduates admitted to not reading a book in 2010.

Only 44 percent of Poles say they read at least one book a year - which is more than two years ago, however, when the number hit a record low of 38 percent.

“It seems that the downward trend has stopped and reading rates will soon go up,” authors of the report predict, optimistically.

The definition of reading a book, through, includes flicking through a cookbook or art album.

“The number of ‘real readers, that is those who read at least six books a year, stands at 12 percent and has not changed much in years,” the report by the National Library says.

Poland lags behind other European states when it comes to reading habits. In France and the Czech Republic, for instance, the number of “real readers” amounts to around 35 percent.

In Poland women read more than men.

The survey was conducted for the National Library the pollster TNS OBOP in November 2010. (mg/pg)

Source: PAP