A comprehensive review from the University of Cambridge highlights that reading for enjoyment not only enhances mental well-being and empathy but may also lower dementia risk, prompting calls to foster reading habits in children and adults amid declining engagement among youth.
A new review from the University of Cambridge adds to a growing body of evidence that reading for pleasure is about more than entertainment. Published in Psychological Medicine, the research found that people who read recreationally tend to report better mental well-being, less stress and stronger empathy, while also showing signs of better cognitive health over time. Barbara Sahakian, a psychiatry professor at Cambridge, said in comments reported by the BBC that “it’s never too late to start” and that reading “can bring benefits throughout our lives and into old age”.
The researchers also argued that the habit may matter early in life. Christelle Langley, another Cambridge psychiatry professor, told the BBC that “Given how beneficial reading for pleasure is at a young age, we should be doing everything we can to introduce children and young people to reading”. Previous work from the same team, involving about 10,000 children, linked reading for fun with stronger memory, concentration and problem-solving skills, while a separate Cambridge summary of the new review said reading is associated with a lower risk of dementia.
That message lands at a time when children appear to be reading for enjoyment less often. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress show that in 2025, 37% of nine-year-olds said they read for fun almost every day, down from 42% in 2020 and 53% in 1984. Among 13-year-olds, the share fell to 14% in 2025 from 17% in 2020 and 35% in 1984. The federal assessment did not pinpoint the cause, but another survey found that more than half of 12- to 17-year-olds spend at least four hours a day online.
Cambridge’s review also suggests the benefits are not limited to books. Graphic novels, magazines and comics may all help, the researchers said, especially when children are drawn to subjects that interest them. Among adults, surveys reviewed by the team pointed to lower loneliness and better social connection among regular readers, with book clubs singled out as one way reading can become a social activity as well as a private one.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
