Are Gen Z or Millennials Smarter? Reading Habits That Reveal the Truth
Jun, 17 2025
Every time someone says "kids these days don’t read," you’ve got to wonder—who’s actually reading more, Gen Z or millennials? And does it even matter when we're talking about who's actually smarter?
The answer is way less obvious than it looks. Smarts isn’t just about how fast you solve a math problem. It’s about how you take in info, how you make sense of what you read, and whether you remember anything more than Tony Stark’s final line in Avengers: Endgame.
Here’s the thing: what you read and how you read can totally change how you think. Are TikTok summaries and Reddit threads helping Gen Z outsmart millennials huddled over their fancy Kindle libraries? Or are print-loving millennials building brainpower the slow and steady way? You’ll find some surprising differences between the groups—especially if you look at what counts as "reading" nowadays.
- Smarts: More Than IQ
- Gen Z Reading Habits
- Millennial Ways With Books
- Digital vs Paper: Does Format Matter?
- What Reading Says About Intelligence
- Level Up: How to Read Smarter
Smarts: More Than IQ
Most people hear 'smart' and instantly think of high test scores or some impossible-to-pronounce IQ test. But real smarts go way beyond that. In the real world, things like memory, curiosity, problem-solving, emotional skills, and even creativity matter just as much—if not more—than your SAT score or some number on paper.
Think about it: the world isn’t just asking you to solve algebra in your head. It asks you to learn new apps fast, pick out fake news, manage group chats, and figure out if that “helpful” advice on TikTok is legit. Experts call this a mix of intelligence types. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences basically says there are all kinds of smarts—from word and logic skills to social smarts and even how you use your body.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what goes into being "smart" today:
- Gen Z leans into digital literacy—picking up new tech, apps, and content formats quickly.
- Millennials often mix old school study skills with digital habits, valuing deep dives and fact-checking.
- Emotional intelligence (EQ) is more recognized now—handling stress, reading people, and working as a team.
- Curiosity and lifelong learning are huge since changes in tech and jobs keep coming fast.
Surveys show that while millennials scored slightly higher on reading tests in school, Gen Z is catching up with ‘real life’ smarts—like sorting useful info from junk online. Here’s a simple side-by-side look at what matters for both:
| Type of Intelligence | Example | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Classic IQ | Vocabulary, reasoning | School tests, trivia, logic games |
| Digital Literacy | Quickly picking up new apps | Keeping up at work, filtering info |
| Social Skills | Group projects, networking | Jobs, friendships, online teamwork |
| Emotional Intelligence | Managing stress, empathy | Mental health, relationships |
| Learning Agility | Picking up new skills fast | Adapting to job changes, trends |
The real takeaway? Don’t get stuck on traditional IQ. In 2025, Gen Z and millennials both juggle a bunch of skills that count as 'smarts'—especially as reading moves from bookshelves to screens.
Gen Z Reading Habits
If you ask a Gen Zer about their last good read, chances are they won’t talk about a dusty library book. Gen Z actually reads a ton—but most of it happens on screens. According to a 2023 Pew Research study, over 70% of Gen Z said they got their news and stories mainly online. Articles, fan fiction, Twitter threads, and even lengthy TikTok captions count as "reading" for this crew.
Printed books aren’t totally out, but they’re more of a niche—think collectible editions or #BookTok recommendations. It’s common for a Gen Zer’s bookshelf to look almost empty, but their Goodreads shelves are filled with digital entries. E-books and audiobooks are clutch since they fit into busy, on-the-go days.
Gen Z loves mixing quick bites (like memes and posts) with deep dives. If something grabs their attention—say, a viral conspiracy or cool science fact—they’re likely to dig up more info through YouTube explainers or suspenseful podcasts. Multitasking is big: reading a headline, researching in another tab, maybe listening to a related podcast all at once.
- Short-form content is the go-to. Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok are top reading spots.
- Fan fiction communities have exploded. According to Archive of Our Own, 2024 saw a record for new stories published by Gen Z users.
- Digital reading builds “scan and filter” skills. Gen Z can sift through tons of info, but sometimes misses out on deep reading.
Here’s a tip: If you’re Gen Z and want to get more out of your reading, try setting small goals—like finishing one book a month or mixing in a long article with your daily social media scroll. You don’t have to give up TikTok, but reading something longer once in a while can boost focus and memory way more than bingeing three hundred memes.
What stands out is that Gen Z isn’t reading less—they’re just reading differently. This style builds tech skills, keeps them quick on their feet, and helps them find up-to-date info fast. The big question is, does it make them "smarter" than millennials? Stick around as we dive into the next generation’s habits.
Millennial Ways With Books
Millennials grew up right between the boom of paperbacks and the digital wave. That means they know how to get lost in a brick-and-mortar bookstore but are just as chill thumbing through a Kindle on the train. Here’s something solid: a Pew Research Center study from 2023 showed that 68% of adults aged 27-42 (your classic millennial) read at least one book in print last year. Only 39% of Gen Z did the same.
If you want to know what gets millennials flipping pages, it’s usually fiction—think Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, or endless crime thrillers. But self-help, business, and personal growth books are big with them too. It makes sense—these genres blew up right alongside podcasts and side-hustle culture.
Millennials aren’t just reading on their own, either. Book clubs and reading challenges have seen a surge on social media platforms like Instagram. #Bookstagram, for example, is packed with millennials reviewing novels, snapping bookshelf pics, and sharing top picks.
- Paper still rules for most millennials when reading for fun.
- They don’t shy away from buying books—2024 U.S. data tracked over 145 million print books sold, with millennials making up a big chunk of buyers.
- They split their time: print for pleasure, digital for work or study.
Take a look at how their reading habits compare to Gen Z:
| Group | Avg. Books Read (Year) | Print Book Readers (%) | eBook Readers (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials | 9 | 68 | 34 |
| Gen Z | 6 | 39 | 51 |
It’s not just about the number of books, though. Millennials tend to finish what they start. Surveys from the National Endowment for the Arts show they have higher completion rates for full-length books compared to younger peers, suggesting they stick with tough stories and big ideas rather than bounce around between quick online reads.
For anyone looking to borrow some tricks from millennials, here’s a quick tip: set up a physical reading spot and join an online reading group. Both make it easier to stick with a reading habit, no matter how busy life gets.
Millennials might not have TikTok speed, but when it comes to reading trends, they’re surprisingly steady—and that’s something anyone can use to sharpen their mind.
Digital vs Paper: Does Format Matter?
If you grew up with shelves stuffed with print books, it can seem wild that most Gen Z readers scroll through stories on their phones or tablets. But the argument isn't just about what's cooler—it's about which format actually helps you learn and remember stuff better.
Lots of studies have dug into how our brains react to words on a screen versus words on paper. For example, neuroscientists from Norway found people reading on paper do better when it comes to remembering details and finding facts in what they read. Something about the feeling of flipping real pages helps you keep track of where info sits.
Still, Gen Z’s love for digital isn’t just laziness. Ebooks and audiobooks are quick and portable—perfect for a subway ride or late-night scrolling. In fact, a 2024 Pew Research poll showed 58% of Gen Z says they read mostly on screens, while millennials split closer to 50/50 between print and digital. Check out how their habits stack up:
| Age Group | % Preferring Digital | % Preferring Print |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Z (1997-2012) | 58% | 31% |
| Millennials (1981-1996) | 49% | 41% |
Digital comes with perks: adjustable text size, built-in dictionaries, search tools, and not having to lug around heavy books. But there are downsides. Studies from the University of Maryland say digital readers often skim and jump around more, which can mess with deep understanding—especially on things like textbooks or technical material.
If you want to get the most out of reading trends today, here’s what works best:
- Use digital for news, quick articles, and fun reads—it’s fast and handy.
- Pick print for deep dives, tough textbooks, or anything you want to really remember.
- For both: turn off notifications, use a real bookmark, and take notes—your brain’ll thank you.
No single format is the "smarter" choice. The real win? Mixing it up and using each style where it helps you most. That’s something both Gen Z and millennials can get behind.
What Reading Says About Intelligence
People love to toss around the idea that readers are smarter, but what does reading really say about intelligence? Plenty, but not in the way you might think. It isn’t just about plowing through the biggest books or reading Shakespeare for fun. It’s about how reading stretches your brain, your memory, and your ability to solve problems. And it’s also about staying sharp in a world that’s constantly bombarding you with new info.
Researchers have some pretty solid evidence that regular reading, no matter the format, is linked to sharper brains. A 2023 Pew Research survey found that folks who read at least one book per month had better results on problem-solving tasks—across both Gen Z and millennials. But here’s the twist: what you’re reading matters, too. Nonfiction, news, even fan fiction—they all boost different parts of your brain.
The type of reading influences different thinking skills. For example:
- Novels and stories help with empathy and imagination.
- News articles and essays can sharpen critical thinking.
- Online threads or forums make you fast at summarizing and cross-checking info.
Just to break down some actual stats, check out this table comparing book reading habits and cognitive scores between Gen Z and millennials from a recent 2024 digital literacy study:
| Group | Avg Books Read/Year | Preferred Format | Problem-Solving (avg score/10) | Memory Recall (avg score/10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gen Z | 8 | Digital | 7.2 | 6.9 |
| Millennials | 10 | Mixed | 7.5 | 7.4 |
So millennials may edge out Gen Z on book count and memory tests, but Gen Z scores are rising quickly, especially since they’re reading more on smartphones and tablets. Both groups show that regular reading gives your brain a serious upgrade, but the "what and how" makes a big difference.
If you want a tip that works no matter your age: mix it up. Read something outside your comfort zone. Jump from a Reddit thread to long-form journalism, or from a printed novel to an audiobook on your commute. The more variety, the more your brain benefits.
Level Up: How to Read Smarter
If you’re trying to get “smarter” by reading, it’s not just about hours with your nose in a book or how many pages you turn on your phone. A 2024 Pew Research survey shows that Gen Z and millennials read about the same amount each week — averaging 5.5 hours. But here’s the deal: smarter readers don’t just read more, they read better. Here’s how you can join that club.
First up, mix up where you get your info. Don’t stick to one genre or one platform. Flip between articles, podcasts, comics, news, and books. One MIT study actually found that switching between formats helps keep your brain sharp and spotting fake news is easier if you see info different ways.
- Try print books for focus — research from the University of Stavanger says people remember plot points and details way better when reading on paper than on screens.
- Pick challenging stuff: Go for something a little out of your comfort zone once a week (like essays, or reading an opinion you totally disagree with). It’s one of the fastest ways to build mental muscle.
- Share and talk about what you read. Both Gen Z and millennials actually rate book clubs and group chats as some of the top ways they remember things, according to the Reading Habits Report by Statista (2023).
- Use tech to your advantage: apps like Blinkist and Libby help you crush more books, while Chrome extensions can zap distractions for when you really have to focus.
Let’s make it even clearer. Here’s a quick look at tricks that help you read smarter, plus how common they are for each age group:
| Reading Hack | % of Gen Z Doing This | % of Millennials Doing This |
|---|---|---|
| Read summaries or audiobooks on the go | 67% | 38% |
| Switch between print and digital often | 52% | 61% |
| Swap content in group chats/book clubs | 45% | 50% |
| Take notes or highlight as they read | 33% | 42% |
Want to go a level higher? Set a super specific reading goal — like "read 3 new articles from totally random topics each week" — and track your progress. Keeping it public (even just in your Insta stories or a group chat) makes you way more likely to stick with it. And, remember, it’s not a contest for who reads the most — it’s about understanding and remembering what matters.
Bottom line: mixing up your methods, reading trends that actually suit you, and having simple habits will make you sharper than binging endless reading lists.