This year, fewer people have read a book. This is what Pew Research Center found out in a brand new survey. According to TIME, the organization had 1,907 American adults took part in the research, which also looked into how many of those participants prefer print and how many like it digital.

The survey, which was conducted last March and April this year, revealed that in 10 American adults, only seven of them opened a book within the past year. That translates to 72 percent, which is six percent lower than the figure obtained back in 2011.

This year, as revealed in the survey, saw both the decline of print and e-book readership. From 69 percent last year, only 62 percent of the participating adults read at least one printed book this year. The number of e-book readers is comparatively down to 27 percent from last year's 28 percent.

Comparing the figure from 2011 (only 17 percent read digital that year), it could be considered that e-book reading is still a bigger fixation for Americans. But by and large, what this demonstrates, according to Pew Research Center, is that "Americans remain hybrid consumers," which means that they could either go physical or digital.  

However, what's interesting is that while sales on digital books noticeably weakened, print sales remain stable and sturdy. This means that Americans still go for a physical book for some reading fix rather a smartphone, a Kindle or any other device that is compatible with e-books.

The research was also able to determine which age group reads more books. As it turns out, 18 to 29 year-old Americans have more likely wolfed down or at least cracked open a precious tome than elder Americans.  

Second in line is the 30 to 49 age bracket. Figures from Americans ages 50 to 64 and 65 and older are relatively close. Overall, it would seem that Americans have read at least a dozen of titles this year.

Looking at the data based on gender, it was shown that women like to get lost in more books than men. The average woman read 14 books this year, which is two more than the amount the average man.

In terms of educational background, it would seem that a college graduate or an advanced degree holder read an average of 17 books, which is the almost double the number of books high school graduates have read in the past year.