An unusual government programme has been launched in Singapore, which rewards people for reading books every day. To receive the bonus, all you need to do is read for at least 15 minutes a day and log this on the government platform. In this way, the authorities aim to counteract ‘scrolling’, short-form content on social media and the gradual decline in the ability to maintain concentration for long periods.
- For every 15 minutes of reading, 20 coins are awarded.
- 1,000 coins can be exchanged for S$1.
- Only one session per day is counted.
- The programme is to run for five years.
How do reading rewards work?
The programme was launched by the National Library Board of Singapore as part of a new initiative ReadSG.
Participants are encouraged to read books at least 15 minutes a day. After that, the session can be registered on the CrowdTaskSG government digital platform.
For each such session, the user receives 20 virtual coins. Once you have collected 1,000 of them, the coins can be exchanged for one Singapore dollar, i.e. approximately $0.80 US dollars.
Therefore, to earn one dollar, you need to 50 daily reading sessions. However, only one session per day is considered to be paid.
The financial reward here is more symbolic — the main aim is to establish a regular habit.
Singapore wants to tackle mind-reading
The initiative arose against a backdrop of concern that people are spending more and more time watching short videos and scrolling through endless feeds social media and other fast-loading digital content.
The National Library Council believes that reading long texts on a regular basis helps to develop concentration, critical thinking, imagination and the ability to analyse information in greater depth.
Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon doomscrolling — the habit of scrolling through the news and social media for long periods without stopping, often without any specific purpose.
ReadSG uses principles similar to those found in fitness apps: daily challenges, personal goals, experience levels and digital rewards are designed to motivate users to stick with the habit.
Fewer than a third of adults read books regularly
Despite the high level of education amongst the population, the Singaporean authorities see reading books as the problem.
According to a 2024 study by the National Library Board, 89% of adults read some sort of text more than once a week, but only 28% read books regularly.
That is precisely why the new programme focuses not simply on reading messages, news items or posts, but on reading books for longer periods.
Head of NLB Melissa Tam She explained that even 15 minutes is a realistic starting point: you can find that amount of time whilst travelling on public transport, waiting for the bus or having your morning coffee.
The programme is scheduled to run for five years
ReadSG has officially launched 6 September 2026 during Singapore’s first National Reading Month. The programme is set to run for five years and aims to gradually make daily reading a widespread habit.
In addition to cash prizes, the authorities are organising book giveaways, group reading sessions, themed events and campaigns. They also plan to make one popular e-book available immediately, without a waiting list, via the library app on the first Friday of every month.
Singapore is therefore attempting to use the very same mechanisms that keep people coming back to social media every day, but this time to foster a habit of reading books.
