Whatis the true value of reading? Much more than one might think. On the occasion of the Turin International Book Fair 2025, our analysis clearly quantified how investing in the promotion of reading among young people can generate significant social returns.
Reading and youth: a concrete lever for the future
For every euro spent, nearly four euros in benefits are generated for society as a whole. Culture proves once again to be a high-impact investment, with long-lasting effects on income, health, employment, innovation, and social cohesion.
The benefits of reading: the numbers that matter
The analysis focused on three youth age groups (11–14, 15–17, 18–19 years), measuring the social impact of reading over a ten-year horizon. The result? A Net Present Value of €644.6 million, with a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 3.8.
This means that every euro invested in reading for young people returns €3.80 in social value—a rare multiplier that few other interventions can match with the same efficiency.
Why investing in reading pays off
Encouraging the habit of reading from a young age produces long-term advantages that influence many aspects of collective life. Reading delivers widespread and lasting benefits across different societal dimensions.
Here are the key benefits:
• €288 million: projected increase in future income among young people who develop a habit of reading early on
• €19 million: estimated savings for the National Health Service due to improved mental and physical health among young readers
• €240 million: economic benefit from reduced school dropout rates driven by early reading habits
• €80 million: savings related to lower youth unemployment and a decline in NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training)
• €3 million: value of increased digital skills, as reading boosts essential cognitive abilities
• €13 million: estimated reduction in crime-related costs, thanks in part to reading programs in prisons
In a time that demands measurable and sustainable solutions, reading stands out as one of the most effective and forward-looking responses.
In conclusion, in times of uncertainty and transformation, promoting the value of reading is not just a cultural act, it is a development strategy. The evidence is clear: investing in reading pays off and delivers tangible benefits to society as a whole.
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