This report is based on 114,970 responses to our Annual Literacy Survey from children and young people aged 5 to 18 in schools across the UK in early 2025. Findings show that writing enjoyment levels are at their lowest since 2010.
Writing enjoyment levels and frequency of writing among UK children and young people (5–18) have sharply decreased, with only 26.6% enjoying writing in free time—the lowest since 2010. Younger children write more often than teenagers, and those receiving free school meals show slightly higher enjoyment. Daily writing is infrequent (10.4%), and motivation for this type of writing comes from creativity, self-expression, and mental wellbeing. Over the past 15 years, writing enjoyment has nearly halved dropping by 20.2 percentage points. This suggests a significant and sustained decline in how young people relate to writing as a leisure or expressive activity. The declining enjoyment affects all age groups in 2025, but it is especially pronounced among primary school children. This indicates that fewer younger people are finding joy in writing, which can affect their own development and long-term engagement. Increasing writing engagement and joy requires personal significance and personal choice. This decline poses risks for future literacy outcomes. The report recommends making writing contextual and empowering to reverse this trend.
Reference: National Literacy Trust (UK). (2025, June 27). Children and young people’s writing in 2025.