Research reference
Children's audiobook statistics, with context.
Published findings on children's audio and family listening, with the population behind each percentage and links to the original research.
Download CSVCompiled by Sukun Kids. Sources checked on . These are UK survey findings from the National Literacy Trust, not Sukun Kids customer data or estimates for Muslim families.
How many children listen to audiobooks or podcasts?
47.3% reported listening to audiobooks, podcasts or both. Base: UK survey respondents aged 8 to 18.
Source: National Literacy Trust, Children and young people's audio listening in 2026.
How often do young listeners use audio?
56.4% listened at least weekly. Base: Audio listeners in the UK survey, aged 8 to 18.
Source: National Literacy Trust, Children and young people's audio listening in 2026.
Do young listeners connect audiobooks with reading?
36.6% said listening had sparked an interest in reading. Base: Audiobook listeners in the UK survey, aged 8 to 18.
Source: National Literacy Trust, Children and young people's audio listening in 2026.
How common are audiobooks in family homes?
69.2% reported audiobook listening in their household. Base: Surveyed UK households with children aged 5 to 18.
Source: National Literacy Trust, Audiobooks in the home in 2026.
When do families listen together?
66.7% listened together at bedtime. Base: Families in the UK survey who listened together.
Source: National Literacy Trust, Audiobooks in the home in 2026.
How to read these numbers
Children and young people's audio listening in 2026: 110,114 UK respondents aged 8 to 18 answering audio questions in the Annual Literacy Survey.
Audiobooks in the home in 2026: A nationally representative online survey of 3,000 UK parents and carers of children aged 5 to 18.
The surveys ask different people different questions. Household participation and child participation cannot be compared as a trend. Audio includes podcasts where stated; an audio listening percentage is not an audiobook-only percentage.
Reported reading interest does not establish that audiobooks caused a literacy improvement. These figures do not measure sleep outcomes or the effectiveness of any app. The age groups also extend beyond Sukun Kids' intended audience.
Using or citing this reference
For a statistic, cite the National Literacy Trust report linked beside it and retain the year, country and population. Each question has a direct link in the contents above. The CSV contains this curated selection and source URLs, not participant records.
Sukun Kids makes an Islamic audio-story app and has a commercial interest in this topic. The research organizations have not endorsed the app. Send corrections or newer primary sources to support@sukunkids.app. The review date changes only when we check the sources.