Over 171,000 Books Purchased by 18-Year-Old Ukrainians Through the eBook State Program in 2026
The eBook Initiative and Its Role in Boosting Reading Habits
According to Рубрика — Суспільство: In the first nine months of 2026, more than 171,000 books were bought by 18-year-old Ukrainians participating in the government-backed eBook program. Launched in December 2024, this initiative has facilitated the purchase of over 606,000 books totaling more than 193.5 million hryvnias so far. Nearly 105,000 young people took advantage of this opportunity during the first three quarters of 2026, representing almost 39% of all Ukrainians turning 18 that year.
On average, 18-year-olds purchased 628 books daily in 2026. Printed books dominate with 98.63% of total sales, while e-books account for 1.36%, and audiobooks make up 0.01%. Most spending-73.41%-happened through online bookstores, with the remaining 26.59% occurring in physical stores. The genres that resonated most with young readers include romance, thrillers, young adult fiction, and psychological nonfiction.
Top Authors and Bestselling Titles Among Youth
Among the most favored authors are:
- Colleen Hoover, with 5,031 copies sold across her 14 works
- H. D. Carlton
- Penelope Douglas
- Tess Gerritsen
- Agatha Christie
Ukrainian writers who have gained significant popularity include Volodymyr Stanchyshyn, Illarion Pavlyuk, and Andriy Kokotukha. The top ten books chosen by young readers feature:
- 'Cat and Mouse Game. Book 1: The Pursuit of Adelina' by H. D. Carlton
- 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl
- 'Walls in My Head: Living with Anxiety and Depression' by Volodymyr Stanchyshyn
- 'Cat and Mouse Game. Book 2: Hunting Adelina' by H. D. Carlton
- 'That Mountain Is You' by Brianna Wiest
- 'Leave If You Love' by Colleen Hoover
- 'The Surgeon. Book 1' by Tess Gerritsen
- 'I See You’re Interested in Darkness' by Illarion Pavlyuk
- 'If He Were Mine' by Laura Novlin
- 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear
Since its inception, the eBook program has enabled young readers to acquire over 33,000 different titles from 536 publishers. The initiative includes participation from 325 bookstores and 39 online bookshops. Every Ukrainian citizen who turns 18 can claim financial assistance for purchasing Ukrainian-language books through the Diia app, valid for one year after their birthday. The funds must be used within three months once credited.
The eBook program is a joint effort led by the Ukrainian Book Institute in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, supported by the Diia Support Project, UNDP Ukraine, and the Swedish government.
The increase in book sales among young Ukrainians highlights a growing reading culture, a key factor in strengthening national identity and education.
By offering financial backing to young readers, the eBook program encourages the promotion of Ukrainian literature and supports local publishers. The program’s success also reflects the growing importance of digital platforms, as most purchases occur online, aligning with modern content consumption trends.
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