Ukrainian books are replacing Russian ones: what has changed in readers' preferences

The share of Ukrainian-language books among the read publications increased significantly in 2024. One of the reasons was the adoption of a law restricting the import of Russian-language books from the aggressor country and Belarus. This is stated in a report on the results of a study conducted by the Info Sapiens agency, UNN reports.

According to the study, in 2024, the share of Ukrainian books among the printed publications read increased significantly. While in 2023 57% of all books read were in Ukrainian, in 2024 this figure rose to 76%. One of the main reasons for this was the adoption of a law restricting the import and distribution of books from Russia and Belarus, which actually reduced the availability of Russian-language literature on the market.

The survey also showed that the majority of respondents (53%) prefer to read in Ukrainian, a figure that remained stable compared to 2023. At the same time, the share of those who prefer Russian-language publications has decreased - 8% in 2024, compared to 12% in 2023. There is also a tendency for respondents who used to read in Russian to shift to the bilingual segment (4%), indicating a change in language preferences due to a reduction in the supply of Russian-language books.

In terms of age categories, younger readers (16-39 years old) show a preference for the Ukrainian language, while older respondents (50 years old and older) have a higher number of those who prefer Russian-language books or have no particular preference for the language.

Recall

UNN presented a selection of 12 iconic books for fall reading. Among the recommended works are world classics, philosophical reflections, and contemporary literature covering various genres and topics.