Singapore Pays People to Read Books to Fix Reading Crisis 2026

Singapore is paying people to read books in a bold attempt to fix the reading crisis. The government recently launched a scheme that rewards citizens with cash for logging reading time on a government website. The initiative aims to encourage reading as a daily habit, especially among young people who have increasingly abandoned books for digital screens.

How the Singapore Reading Scheme Works

Under the scheme, participants must accumulate 50 reading sessions of at least 15 minutes each to earn one Singapore dollar (approximately £0.59). Only one session can be logged per day, meaning it takes at least 50 days to earn the reward. While the monetary amount is small, the program is designed to incentivize consistent reading behavior rather than provide significant financial gain.

The Psychology Behind Paying People to Read

Behavioral scientists and psychologists suggest that such a scheme could help boost a habit in precipitous decline. Jonathan Haidt, a psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, notes that some children are highly motivated by money, and "all kids respond to rewards to some degree." He believes the scheme is "likely to have some beneficial effect in setting up a habit of reading."

Lory Barile, associate professor in economics at the University of Warwick, adds that "there is good evidence that repeating a behaviour consistently can help it become more automatic over time." If participants find reading pleasurable in itself, the habit may stick. However, for some, the monetary reward "will convey to them that they are reading only for the extrinsic reward," potentially undermining intrinsic motivation.

Can Financial Incentives Fix the Reading Crisis?

The reading crisis is not unique to Singapore. Across the globe, reading rates have plummeted as smartphones and social media compete for attention. According to the National Literacy Trust, only 43% of children in the UK enjoy reading in their free time, down from 58% in 2016. In the US, the percentage of adults who read for pleasure has also declined.

Financial incentives have been used in various contexts to encourage behaviors, from recycling to exercise. But when it comes to reading, the key is to foster intrinsic motivation. If the scheme can jumpstart a reading habit, participants may continue even after the rewards end.

Comparing Reading Incentives Around the World

Key Takeaways

• Singapore's scheme offers cash rewards for logged reading sessions.
• Behavioral experts say rewards can help establish a reading habit.
• Intrinsic motivation is crucial for long-term reading engagement.
• Similar programs exist worldwide but often use non-monetary incentives.

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