Fewer newspaper subscriptions

In 2008 about 50 percent of the Dutch indicated that they had a newspaper subscription in their household. In 1997 this was 62 percent.

Sharpest dip in subscriptions among 25-44 year-olds

In 2008 the share of people in households with a newspaper subscription was smallest among the 25-44 year-olds. This group also saw the sharpest decrease compared to 1997. Many 25-44 year-olds probably get their news on the internet or from the free newspapers that have been available for several years.

Share of people in households with a newspaper subscription by age

Fewer subscriptions for all education levels

Highly educated people generally have a higher share of newspaper subscriptions than less well-educated people. It stands out that Dutch people with a four-year general secondary school education (mavo) as their highest education level achieved were more often part of a household with a newspaper subscription in 1997 as well as 2008 than people who completed higher levels of secondary education (havo, mbo or vwo). Among all levels of education the share of people in a household with a newspaper subscription has fallen drastically since 1997.

Share of people in households with a newspaper subscription by education level

Couples subscribed more often

In 2008 couples, with or without children, more often had a newspaper subscription than singles and one-parent families. 61 percent of the couples without children had a newspaper subscription, whereas this was just 24 percent of the single-parent families.

Share of people in households with a newspaper subscription by household type

Few subscribers in the major cities

Fewer households in the major cities subscribe to a newspaper than people living elsewhere. In 2008 62 percent of the people in non urban areas were part of a household with a newspaper subscription, compared to 38 percent of the people living in strongly urbanised areas.

Share of people in households with a newspaper subscription by degree of urbanisation

Vinodh Lalta and Henk Swinkels