The humble paper round, once a rite of passage for teenagers across England, appears to be fading fast.
New data gathered by Ailsa, analysing average monthly online searches for “paper round” and related terms such as “paper rounds near me”, “paper round jobs near me” and “get a paper round”, reveals a continued decline in interest across the UK.
In England, searches have fallen from 5,600 per month in 2023, to 4,180 in 2026, a 25% drop.
Nationally, the trend is similar. Northern Ireland is down 18%, Scotland has seen a 23% decline, and Wales has recorded the sharpest fall at 29%.
| Average number of monthly searches for ‘paper round’ and 33 related keywords | |||
| 2023 | 2026 | Percentage change from 2023 to 2025 | |
| Wales | 410 | 290 | -29% |
| England | 5,600 | 4,180 | -25% |
| Scotland | 470 | 360 | -23% |
| Northern Ireland | 110 | 90 | -18% |
While fewer young people are searching for paper rounds, experts warn the decline could mean fewer opportunities for teenagers to develop key life skills early on.
For Jamie Burns, founder of Ailsa who conducted the research, the figures strike a personal chord.
“I started out doing paper rounds when I was a kid,” he said. “It was my first taste of earning my own money and learning responsibility.”
“Once I realised I could make a bit of money, I started thinking bigger. I began selling sweets and drinks to friends and neighbours alongside my round. It taught me about margins, stock and customer service before I even knew what those words meant.”
That early entrepreneurial spark eventually led Jamie to start his own business.
“I genuinely believe those early experiences shaped how I think about work and opportunity today.”
Four ways parents can replace the paper round and spark entrepreneurial skills
Start small but early
“Responsibility builds over time,” said Jamie. “You do not suddenly wake up at 18 with a strong work ethic. It is built through small habits.”
He suggests parents look for simple, consistent ways children can earn their own money, whether that is delivering leaflets, helping neighbours with gardening, washing cars or running errands.
“Turning up every week, even when it is cold or raining, teaches far more than the amount they earn. That reliability is what sticks.”
Encourage them to spot opportunities
Jamie believes one of the most valuable lessons from his early days was learning to identify gaps in the market.
“I only started selling sweets and drinks because I noticed people wanted them. That is how most businesses start, by spotting a simple opportunity.”
Parents can encourage this by asking children what people around them might need, from school friends to neighbours or sports teams.
“When kids start thinking like that, they stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them.”
Help them manage and grow their money
Earning money is one thing. Managing it is another.
Jamie recommends helping children divide what they earn into spending, saving and reinvesting in their next idea, whether that is buying stock, tools or materials.
“When I reinvested some of my paper round money into buying sweets to sell, that is when I really understood how money works,” he said. “It stopped being pocket money and started being capital.”
Giving children ownership over their money helps build confidence and financial awareness early on.
Focus on confidence, not just cash
Finally, Jamie said the biggest benefit of early work is not financial, but personal.
“It is not about whether they make £5 or £50. It is about knocking on doors, speaking to adults, solving problems and pushing through when something feels uncomfortable.”
These experiences help build resilience and communication skills that last far beyond childhood.
“If they learn not to quit when it gets uncomfortable, that will help them far beyond any paper round.”
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