Half of adults in the UK do not regularly read for pleasure, according to new survey data.

The study, commissioned by the charity the Reading Agency, saw 15% of adults reporting that they have never been regular readers, and 35% saying that they are lapsed readers, meaning that they used to read regularly for pleasure, but rarely or never do now.

The accompanying report, titled The State of the Nation’s Adult Reading, said that young adults were less likely to read than all other age groups. The 16- to 24-year-old age group had the lowest level of regular readers (32%), with nearly a quarter saying they have never been regular readers and 44% saying they are lapsed readers. In contrast, 62% of adults 55 and over said they read regularly, which was defined as reading at least once a week.

The number of UK adults who say they read regularly has decreased by 13.8%, from 58% to 50%, since a 2015 survey commissioned by the Reading Agency. Those reporting that they have never been regular readers has increased by 88% since 2015, from 8% to 15%.

When respondents were asked what is stopping them from reading, one-third said a lack of time, while 20% cited the distraction of social media and 13% reported mental health reasons, such as depression or anxiety. Among lapsed readers, other reasons given included poor vision and difficult life events.

Three in 10 adults said that they find it hard to finish what they’re reading, with about the same number reporting difficulty focusing on reading for more than a few minutes at a time. 23% of respondents agreed with the statement: “I cannot find things to read that interest me.”

Asked what would help lapsed readers fit in more reading, 39% said more time for themselves, followed by shorter working hours (22%), guidance on how to choose books (17%), less time on social media (16%) and improved accessibility options (14%).

Among the 16- to 24-year-old age group, 39% said that they do not feel represented in reading materials, agreeing that it is difficult to find books featuring characters with experiences similar to their own, compared with 25% of adults across all age groups. They also reported struggling to focus on reading at a considerably higher rate than the average across all ages (42% compared with 28%).

“Quite simply, reading is good for you,” said Karen Napier, CEO of the Reading Agency. “Lack of time is the biggest barrier to UK adults reading more, which makes the summer holidays the perfect opportunity to take time out and read. We would encourage anyone who hasn’t picked up a book or audiobook in a while, or who may have lost their confidence, to use this summer break to kick-start their reading habit.”

Overall, 69% of all adults reported enjoying reading in this year’s survey, with 59% saying that there are lots of things they want to read.

The research also found that 47% of those who reported never having read regularly for pleasure said they read news articles at least once a week. This result is “consistent with this group’s motivations for reading – for specific information only”, read the report. Among lapsed readers, almost one in three said they read magazines at least once a week.

The study was conducted by Censuswide and surveyed 2,003 adults between 2 and 4 April.