Gen Z's High Reading Interest: MPR Deputy Chair: It Must Be Utilised to the Best of Our Ability

Deputy Chair of the MPR RI, Lestari Moerdijat, has spotlighted the burgeoning reading activity among Generation Z. According to a Jakpat survey institute’s research for the second semester of 2025, the percentage of reading activity among Gen Z (aged 14-29 years) reaches 26%. This figure is higher compared to Millennials (30-45 years) at 20% and Gen X (46-61 years) at just 18%. Lestari stated that this increase in reading interest among the younger generation must not be squandered. In her view, this valuable momentum should be utilised by stakeholders to sustainably boost Indonesian society’s literacy. “This increase in reading interest among the younger generation must be utilised to the best of our ability through various strategic steps to ensure sustainability and ultimately enhance Indonesian society’s literacy,” Lestari said in her statement on Thursday (23/4/2026). Furthermore, Lestari revealed that young people are now seeking alternative activities that are more quality-oriented to fill their leisure time. However, high reading interest does not automatically correlate with society’s literacy levels. To ensure that the reading habit has a broader impact, Lestari believes consistent strategic steps are needed. One of them is mobilising reading communities, both digital and physical, to encourage organic growth of discussions and book reviews within society. In addition, schools and universities must promote learning patterns that enable students not only to read but also to process, critique, and re-present the information obtained. On the other hand, the availability of easily accessible reading materials—whether through physical or digital collections—and affordable book prices are also crucial factors in increasing public reading interest. Therefore, Lestari hopes for prompt policies that can expand public access to reading materials, such as eliminating book taxes and providing relief on paper prices. “With these steps, the 26% momentum of active reading Gen Z will not just be a statistic but a foundation for creating a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable national literacy ecosystem,” she concluded.