It looks like the recession is having a significant impact on the press readers of Ireland. The latest readership data (JNRS) for 2009 has been released, and it indicates that there has been a significant increase in readership for the broadsheets, and a reduction for the tabloids. In the daily market The Irish Times and Irish Independent have seen double digit increases in readership, with The Star, The Sun and Evening Herald all suffering losses.

From a Sunday perspective the Sunday Independent has experienced a 10% increase, while the Sunday World has seen a 12% loss. Other big winners from a Sunday perspective are the Sunday Times (+23%) and the Sunday Business Post (+26%).

This readership data contrasts somewhat to the latest circulation (sales) figures for the titles. What this suggests is that due to the prevailing economic conditions the Irish consumer is actually buying less newspapers overall, but each newspaper is attracting more readers as the paper is passed around the home or amongst work colleagues. In addition it appears that we’re becoming more selective with our reading habits, with a greater focus on the affairs of the economy, rather than affairs per se.