The objective of this paper is to find out the reasons behind the low level of reading literacy among primary school students. The data from IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement) Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2001 are analyzed. And the main conclusions are drawn that the socioeconomic situation of the family has a great impact on students reading literacy as well as parents’ education and reading aloud to a child at the preschool age. Students high achieving in reading literacy usually like reading for their own enjoyment and come from families where parents spend a lot of time on reading.