What is the most read newspaper in the world?
Every morning, over 30 million people in India pick up a physical copy of a newspaper before their first cup of tea. That’s more than the entire population of Australia. And it’s not a fluke - this isn’t just popular in one city or region. It’s the most read newspaper on the planet, by a huge margin.
The undisputed leader: The Times of India
The The Times of India is a daily English-language newspaper published in India, with a circulation of over 3.3 million copies daily as of 2025. Also known as TOI, it has held the top spot for over two decades. It’s not just big - it’s massive. Its print edition alone reaches more readers than the next three largest newspapers combined.
What makes The Times of India so dominant? It’s not just about language. While English is the official language of business and education in India, TOI also publishes editions in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, and other regional languages. But even its English version isn’t just for urban elites. It’s sold in small towns, roadside stalls, and rural markets. In places where internet access is patchy, the newspaper is still the most trusted source of local news, weather, sports, and government updates.
How it compares to other global giants
Many assume that newspapers like The New York Times or The Daily Mail would top the list. They don’t even come close. The New York Times has a daily print circulation of about 350,000. The Daily Mail in the UK hits around 800,000. Even China’s Liberation Daily, which used to be the world’s largest in the 1990s, now sits at roughly 1.8 million.
Here’s how the top five stack up in 2025:
| Rank | Newspaper | Country | Daily Circulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Times of India | India | 3.3 million |
| 2 | Yomiuri Shimbun | Japan | 2.7 million |
| 3 | Asahi Shimbun | Japan | 2.3 million |
| 4 | Liberation Daily | China | 1.8 million |
| 5 | Dainik Bhaskar | India | 1.7 million |
Notice something? Two Indian papers are in the top five. That’s not an accident. India has over 1.4 billion people, and newspapers still play a central role in daily life. Even in cities with high smartphone use, many families rely on print editions for older relatives who don’t use digital platforms. In rural areas, a single copy is often shared among 10-20 people.
Why print still thrives in India
It’s easy to assume print is dead everywhere. But in India, the newspaper isn’t just news - it’s a ritual. People buy it before work. They read it on buses. Grandparents keep yesterday’s edition to wrap groceries. Local vendors track which editions sell fastest - TOI on Mondays, Dainik Bhaskar on weekends.
Unlike Western newspapers that focus on national politics or global markets, TOI mixes it up. One page has breaking news about a train accident in Uttar Pradesh. The next has celebrity gossip from Bollywood. Then there’s the sports section - cricket is practically a religion here. And every day, there’s a column called "Reader’s Voice," where ordinary people write in about their problems with local authorities, utilities, or schools. That’s why it’s trusted.
It’s also cheap. A single copy costs about 5 rupees - less than 6 cents. That’s less than the price of a bus ticket in many cities. For families living on $3 a day, that’s affordable. Digital subscriptions? Most can’t afford them. Data plans are expensive. And many don’t have smartphones.
The digital shift - and why it hasn’t killed print
The Times of India isn’t ignoring the internet. Its website and app get over 120 million monthly visits. But here’s the twist: digital readership doesn’t replace print - it complements it. Many people who read TOI online still buy the paper. Why? Because the print version is curated. It’s filtered. It doesn’t overwhelm you with endless scrolling. You get one version of the day’s news - clean, simple, and organized.
Also, in India, newspapers are often used as proof of identity or residence. Landlords, government offices, and even banks sometimes ask for a recent newspaper clipping to confirm your address. That’s something a website can’t do.
Who else is close?
Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun are the only other newspapers that come close to TOI’s numbers. Both have deep roots in Japanese society. They’re known for high journalistic standards and wide distribution networks. But Japan’s population is shrinking. India’s isn’t. With over 60% of its population under 35, India’s newspaper market is still growing.
Dainik Bhaskar, another Indian paper, is the largest in Hindi. It’s read by millions in northern and central India. But because it’s not in English, it doesn’t get the same global attention. TOI’s English version gives it a broader reach - including among India’s middle class, diaspora, and foreign readers.
What this tells us about the future of news
The fact that a print newspaper still leads the world in 2025 says something important: access isn’t the same as adoption. Just because technology exists doesn’t mean people use it. For hundreds of millions, newspapers are still the most reliable, affordable, and culturally embedded way to get news.
The real question isn’t whether print is dying - it’s whether digital platforms can ever replicate the trust, simplicity, and community connection that newspapers like The Times of India still provide. So far, they haven’t.
Is The Times of India the most read newspaper in English?
Yes. Among English-language newspapers, The Times of India is not only the most read - it’s the only one with a daily print circulation over 3 million. The next largest, The New York Times, has less than half that number.
Why isn’t The New York Times number one?
The New York Times has a strong global reputation, but its audience is smaller and more concentrated in the U.S. and among English-speaking elites worldwide. India’s population is over 1.4 billion, and newspapers are deeply woven into daily life. TOI reaches people across income levels, languages, and regions - something no Western paper can match.
Do people in India still read newspapers in 2025?
Absolutely. While smartphone use is rising, print newspapers remain the primary news source for over 70% of Indian households, especially outside major cities. Many people, including students, laborers, and retirees, rely on them because they’re affordable, reliable, and don’t require internet.
What’s the second most read newspaper in the world?
The Yomiuri Shimbun from Japan holds the second spot with a daily circulation of around 2.7 million. It’s known for its detailed reporting and wide distribution across Japan, including rural areas.
Is The Times of India available outside India?
Yes. TOI is sold in over 30 countries through international distributors, especially in the U.S., U.K., UAE, and Australia. It’s also available digitally worldwide through its website and app. But its print circulation remains overwhelmingly concentrated in India.
What’s next for The Times of India?
The paper isn’t resting. It’s expanding its local editions, launching podcasts, and testing AI-driven personalized news sections. But its core strategy hasn’t changed: meet people where they are. Whether that’s on a bus, in a village, or on a phone - the goal is to be there.
For now, the most read newspaper in the world isn’t a digital platform. It’s a folded sheet of paper, printed on cheap pulp, sold for pennies, and read by tens of millions every day. And until something comes along that’s just as simple, affordable, and trusted - it’s not going anywhere.
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