Bahrain tops Gulf in book reading, ranks 82nd globally

TDT | Manama                                                      

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Bahrain has claimed the top spot in the Gulf region and 82nd place globally in a ranking of countries with the highest per capita book readership for 2024. 

According to a report published in *Ceoworld* magazine, Bahrainis read an average of 3.44 books per year, dedicating 77 hours annually to reading.

Oman followed in second place in the Gulf and 89th globally, with an average of 3.13 books per person per year (69 hours of reading). Kuwait ranked third in the Gulf and 90th worldwide, with an average of 3.08 books per year (69 hours).

  Qatar came in fourth in the Gulf and 93rd globally (2.93 books, 67 hours), followed by the UAE (98th globally, 2.71 books, 60 hours) and Saudi Arabia (99th globally, 2.69 books, 60 hours).

The *Ceoworld* report, based on a survey of book readers in 102 countries and over 6,500,000 interviews, placed the United States and India at the top of the global rankings. 

Americans read an average of 17 books annually, while Indians read 16, with both countries showing a preference for physical books over e-books or audiobooks, despite the growing popularity of digital media.

The global book market was valued at $144.67 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8% from 2024 to 2030, according to the report.