Which Southeast Asian Countries Read the Most?

Reading habits across Southeast Asia reveal interesting insights into how different societies value education, literacy, and lifelong learning.

According to data published by CEOWORLD Magazine for 2024–2025, Singapore ranks as the top-reading country in Southeast Asia, with residents spending an average of 155 hours per year reading. Thailand follows closely behind with 149 hours, while Indonesia secures third place with 129 hours annually.

Singapore’s leading position reflects its strong educational system, extensive public libraries, and government campaigns that encourage reading from an early age.

Reading is deeply integrated into daily life in the city-state, whether through printed books, digital platforms, or educational materials. The country’s multilingual environment also supports a vibrant reading culture among people of different backgrounds.

Thailand’s impressive reading average demonstrates the country’s growing literary culture. Public book fairs, mobile libraries, and literacy campaigns have helped increase public interest in books and digital reading platforms. Reading in Thailand is not only considered educational but also a popular form of entertainment and personal development.

Indonesia, the largest nation in Southeast Asia by population, records 129 hours of reading per year. Despite geographical challenges across its many islands, Indonesia has continued to improve literacy through community libraries, educational programs, and expanding access to online reading applications.

The country’s growing literary communities and independent publishers have also contributed to stronger reading habits among young people.

Viet Nam and the Philippines share the same annual reading average of 123 hours, while Malaysia follows closely with 122 hours. These countries demonstrate relatively balanced reading cultures supported by schools, digital access, and public literacy campaigns.

In Viet Nam, reading is strongly linked to academic success, while in the Philippines, English-language education and online reading platforms encourage regular reading habits. Malaysia has also promoted reading through multilingual publications and national literacy initiatives.

Meanwhile, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Brunei rank lower in the region, with annual reading times of 78, 74, and 60 hours respectively. Limited access to books, library infrastructure, and literacy resources remain challenges in these countries. However, ongoing educational reforms and digital initiatives may help strengthen reading habits in the future.

Overall, the CEOWORLD data highlights the diversity of reading cultures across Southeast Asia. While some countries have successfully cultivated strong reading habits, others continue working toward improving literacy and access to knowledge for their populations.