One in four Greeks reads a book purely for entertainment, at least three times a week, and considers reading a book their favorite way to “disconnect” from a world that never stops moving and bombarding us with obligations.
This is one of the key findings of the study “The Book and the World of Reading in Greece,” which was presented today at the 2026 Public Book Awards event. The study was conducted by Truberries in May 2026, using a dual methodology: quantitative research on a nationwide sample of 816 individuals across seven major urban centers, and qualitative research involving the collection of personal stories about books and group discussions. This is the first study of such scope and depth on the world of books in our country within the retail sector.
How Much Does Greece Read?
Four in ten Greeks aged 18–59 read books on a regular basis. But the truth lies in the details:
Why do Greeks read?
The survey captures, for the first time, a multidimensional “psychological profile” of reading. A book is not merely entertainment; it is—depending on the occasion or need—psychotherapy, a refuge, intellectual satisfaction, and an imaginative escape. 85% of readers say they read to relax and escape from everyday life. And for 57% of parents, books remain one of the best ways to connect with their children.
Equally revealing is the finding that 85% of readers view books as a way to find personal solitude in public or private spaces, without having to explain themselves. Thus, two distinct roles of reading emerge: reading becomes either “companionship” or a passport to parallel solitude.
Where, when, and how we read
The moment of reading is deeply personal: 52% read before bed and 45% when they find free time during the day. Vacation periods (49%) or holidays such as Christmas and Easter (42%) are closely associated with reading. A significantly smaller proportion of readers associate reading with weekends (37%), and some others take a book with them on their daily commutes (22%).
Need to disconnect from screens
It is worth noting that avid readers have not abandoned screens in favor of reading: 42% of them use social media for more than 3 hours a day, confirming that books and the digital world coexist.
What influences the decision to buy a book
The book’s theme or plot remains the most influential purchasing factor (73%), followed by the back-cover summary (47%). The author, price, and discounts follow, tied at 37%.
Where we discover the book
In an era where it is taken for granted that the internet reigns supreme, the data is surprising: the new book is “discovered” in physical stores (29%) as much as through digital channels (31%).
Artificial intelligence: the new author?
The survey also addresses the most pressing question in the publishing world. 54% of readers have already used artificial intelligence (AI) to explain words or images in books, 41% to understand text, and 29% for summaries. However, only 31% would consider buying a book written entirely by AI, a percentage that practically doubles (60%) when the writing is presented as the result of a collaboration between humans and AI. Human mediation remains non-negotiable for the value of intellectual creativity; readers need the presence—or at least the coexistence—of the author alongside the AI, even if only as a “guarantee.”
Audiobooks: the new trend
Nine out of ten regular readers know what an audiobook is, and 82% of them would like to use them in the future—a figure that reveals a growing market with enormous potential.
Their role differs from that of the printed book: while both formats may coexist on ships and airplanes, audiobooks dominate activities such as walking (47%), on public transportation (43%), and in the car (31%) —in other words, it becomes “companionship on the go.” The printed book reserves the quieter moments for itself: travel (68%), waiting rooms (37%), and free time at home (8%).
Books as gifts
On average, each reader buys 9.7 books per year, with 6.75 books intended for personal use and 2.95 books purchased as gifts. The top occasion for giving a book as a gift is a birthday or name day (74%), followed by Christmas (52%) and children’s gifts (45%).
In children’s books, the author is not such an important selection criterion. When rating importance on a scale of 1–5, educational content (4.4) and plot or illustrations (4.2) outweigh the author’s reputation (3.3).
Foreign Languages and the Book as a Linguistic Journey
32% of Greek readers read in English, a percentage that jumps to 41% among those aged 18–34. The reasons: a preference for the author’s original linguistic style (60% of buyers), but also the sense that reading in a foreign language is both a pleasure and a learning experience (52%). A finding that overturns the stereotypical image of the Greek who “can’t handle” foreign-language editions.
The book as an object and a ritual
90% of readers keep their books on a bookshelf or shelves. This finding reflects the book’s role beyond that of a medium for reading and conveying a narrative: the book occupies a distinct place within their space and serves as a point of reference for readers regarding their identity. On the other hand, the most avid readers welcome them anywhere in the space, as they believe that “a book is the only thing that can be placed anywhere in the home without being considered untidy.”
After reading, 84% keep them, 38% lend them out, and only 1% throw them away. 34% buy used books, mainly because the book they’re looking for is hard to find elsewhere.