CLPE has published its 8^th annual Reflecting Realities Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature. After last year’s dramatic fall in the number of ethnically inclusive titles, this year’s figures show a welcome return to an upward trajectory.

A modest rise in representation

The 2025 survey covers titles published for children aged 3-11 in 2024. Of the 4009 titles eligible for consideration, 24% (952 titles) featured a racially minoritised character, compared with only 17% of titles published in 2023.

While a welcome improvement on last year, it is important to note that this year’s figure has not bounced back to the high of 30% in 2022.

When it comes to main characters, the news is more positive. This year’s report shows the number of racially minoritised main characters has reached 24%. This is not only a significant improvement on the 7% reported last year but also signifies an ‘important milestone’ in the history of the survey as it is the highest reported figure to date.

Representation across different text types

The Reflecting Realities survey focuses on picture books, fiction and non-fiction titles –  the text types that typically make up the core stock of the average primary classroom book corner. The 2025 report shows an improvement in representation across both fiction and non-fiction:

• Fiction saw a positive rise in racially minoritised presence, increasing from 11% of books published in 2023 to 18% of books published in 2024. While the 2024 figure does not match the high of 24% reported in the 6^thsurvey, it does still represent the second highest level of representation since the survey began. The report’s authors also welcomed the continuing improvement in the range of genres represented.
• Non-fiction also saw a year-on-year improvement in minoritised presence, rising from 22% of books published in 2023 to 27% of books published in 2024. This figure, however, still represents a significant drop from earlier highs of 41% (2021), 34% (202o) and 30% (2022).

However, while picture books continue to have the highest proportion of minoritised presence across the three text types, this year’s figure has seen an unprecedented drop, falling from 55% (titles published in 2023) to 38% (titles published in 2024).

Looking forward

Farrah Serroukh, Executive Director of Research and Development at CLPE expressed her relief at this year’s more positive figures: ‘We were worried that the dramatic drop reported in last year’s report might mark the start of a downward spiral that would undo the important gains made in prior years, so we have been pleased to be able to report an increase in overall output this eighth survey.’

However, the report also calls on publishers to remain steadfast in their commitment to producing high-quality inclusive and representative literature for children, and stresses the importance of making the principle of inclusion integral to every stage of book production.

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust (of which CLPE is now a subsidiary), recognised the vital work of the Reflecting Realities survey in highlighting the importance of providing children and young people with access to a range of diverse stories that reflect their lives and experiences:

‘Our own research hammers this home – children and young people who see themselves in books are more likely to enjoy reading, read more often and have greater confidence, particularly those from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds. Yet two-fifths told us they find it difficult to find books with characters like them in.’