Page-turners vs screen-scrollers: Where does Bangladesh stand?

Today is World Book Day — or as UNESCO officially calls it, World Book and Copyright Day. It's not just a day to post a bookish selfie with your favorite read. It’s a reminder that books still matter in a world full of distractions.

Why April 23? Because it’s the deathiversary of literary legends William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. So, basically, a holy trinity of bookish greatness.

Now, let’s get to the juicy part: Who’s reading the most — and who’s barely cracking open a cover?

According to a massive 2024 survey by CEO World Magazine (think bookworms with spreadsheets), Americans top the list, reading an average of 17 books a year. That’s 357 hours of page-turning action — and probably 357 cups of coffee to match.

India follows closely, with readers averaging 16 books a year. And they’re not just skimming either — they spend 352 hours reading. Yes, while the world scrolls endlessly, Indian readers are still embracing the scent of fresh paperbacks.

The UK, France, Italy, and Canada round out the top book-loving countries — with each citizen reading about a book a month. Respect.

Now… brace yourself, Bangladesh.

We are currently ranked 97th out of 102 countries in terms of reading. On average, Bangladeshis read just 2.75 books a year — that’s barely three! Total reading time? A modest 62 hours a year — or about the same time it takes to binge one and a half K-dramas.

Yes, we’ve got a book fair (a pretty awesome one, too), bookstagrammers, and literary festivals. But when it comes to everyday reading habits, we’ve still got a long way to go.

That said, all hope is not lost. E-books and audiobooks are slowly gaining ground, especially among younger readers. But even in the age of TikTok, there’s still something magical about curling up with a paper book and getting lost in its world.

So, on this World Book Day, let’s make a pledge: more books, less buffering. Grab that half-finished novel on your shelf. Read with your kids. Gift a book instead of a bouquet.

And if you're still unsure where to start, here’s a tip: pick a book whose first line makes you curious enough to ignore your phone for 10 minutes. That’s how it begins.

Happy reading, Bangladesh. You’ve got some catching up to do — and a whole world of stories waiting.