Singapore is paying its citizens to read books for at least 15 minutes a day under a new gamification strategy launched this month. The affluent city-state introduced the initiative to fight the rise of doomscrolling and improve concentration, critical thinking, and the imagination of Singaporeans.
How the Government Reading Incentive Works
Under the scheme, readers accrue points that can be redeemed for a small amount of money. People must log 50 daily reading sessions on a government website to earn S$1 (80c), according to official details. A session of 15 minutes or more rewards participants with 20 virtual coins, and 1,000 coins are required for a dollar payment. The rules permit only one reading session daily.
Melissa Tam, chief of the National Library Board, stated that sustainable reading habits are built through small and achievable steps. In an interview with the Straits Times, Tam noted that people live in a world of extraordinary abundance regarding content, information, and stimulation. She explained that individuals can scroll through hundreds of headlines, watch a video, or get a summary of almost anything at any moment.
“We know that habits are built through small, consistent actions,” Tam told the Straits Times. “So, we are starting with a simple goal: just read for 15 minutes a day. On the bus, before bed or over lunch.”
Did You Know? Despite government concerns about reading habits and the rise of doomscrolling, Singapore’s 15-year-old students recently topped the world rankings for reading in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), beating China and Taiwan.
Broader Government Efforts Targeting Screen Time
Beyond the reading incentive scheme, the government is considering ways to make social media less harmful for young Singaporeans, including the implementation of a daily time limit. A recent study found that doomscrolling and addiction caused the most harm to young people.
Financial incentives are frequently used by the Singapore government to influence citizen behavior. Previous health-focused initiatives launched by authorities include supermarket vouchers for walking and prizes for hitting daily step targets.
What May Happen Next
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do readers need to read to earn rewards?
Participants must complete a reading session of 15 minutes or more to receive credit for the day.
How many sessions are required to earn one dollar?
People must log 50 daily reading sessions to earn S$1 (80c), with each qualifying session awarding 20 virtual coins up to a total of 1,000 coins needed for the payout.
What motivated the introduction of this scheme?
The affluent city-state launched the gamification strategy to fight the rise of doomscrolling and improve the concentration, critical thinking, and imagination of Singaporeans.
How do you spend your own 15 minutes of daily reading time?
Keep reading