With new technologies, computers, iPhones, and tablets, children and adults do not read anymore, and 38% of Bulgarians have not read any books in the last year, according to a survey by ALPHA RESEARCH, organized on the occasion of International Literacy Day.

The figures are frightening, 12% of the respondents believe reading is meaningless, and one in 10 Bulgarians have no books at home. Only 11% of those under 40 still often read more than ten books annually. 52% read real books printed on paper, 15% less than in 2014.

Even worse, 60% of Bulgarians have not bought any books in the last year. “Seeing how many parents only read “once in a while”, whatever that means, we shouldn’t be surprised that their offspring are losing interest in reading,” said Boryana Dimitrova of the Polling Institute.