Singapore has launched a new national initiative that offers people small cash rewards for spending time reading books, as the country attempts to encourage deeper reading habits and reduce the influence of short-form digital content and doomscrolling.
The five-year programme, called ReadSG, was launched by Singapore’s National Library Board (NLB) in September.
Read for 15 Minutes and Earn Rewards
Under ReadSG, participants can log a reading session of at least 15 minutes a day through a dedicated platform.
Each qualifying session earns 20 virtual coins. Once participants accumulate 1,000 coins, they can redeem them for S$1.
That means someone who reads for 15 minutes every day could earn around S$7.30 in a year.
The financial reward is deliberately small. The programme is designed more as a behavioural nudge to encourage people to build a consistent reading routine than as a way to make money.
Singapore Wants People to Read Beyond Screens
The initiative comes amid concerns about the growing popularity of short-form, easily consumed digital content.
The NLB says sustained reading can help people develop concentration, absorb information, think critically and use their imagination.
The programme encourages participants to read wherever it is convenient, including while travelling on public transport, during lunch breaks or before going to bed.
Only 28% of Adults Read Books
Singapore already has relatively high reading engagement. An NLB survey found that 89% of adults read more than once a week.
However, only 28% reported reading books.
This distinction is important because people may still consume large amounts of written content online without spending significant time on long-form books.
The programme therefore focuses specifically on developing a sustained reading habit rather than simply increasing the amount of text people consume.
Digital Distraction Is a Growing Concern
Singapore’s reading initiative also comes as educators and policymakers worldwide examine the effects of smartphones and short-form content on attention and reading habits.
Singapore continues to perform strongly in international reading assessments, although reading performance among young people has declined in recent years.
The government hopes that making reading a daily habit will help people strengthen their ability to concentrate and engage with longer-form content.
Money Is Just the Motivation
ReadSG follows Singapore’s broader use of incentives to encourage behavioural changes, including programmes linked to physical activity.
The idea is to use gamification and small rewards to make reading more regular. Once the habit is established, the expectation is that people will continue reading for reasons beyond the financial incentive.
The programme also highlights a broader question about the future of reading in a smartphone-driven world: whether small rewards can encourage people to replace some of their scrolling time with books.
Summary
Singapore has launched ReadSG, a five-year programme that rewards residents with virtual coins for reading for at least 15 minutes a day. Every qualifying session earns 20 coins, with 1,000 coins worth S$1. The initiative aims to encourage sustained reading habits and counter growing dependence on short-form digital content and doomscrolling.
