An Asian country pays its citizens to read for at least 15 minutes a day

Singapore has launched a national campaign encouraging residents to read for at least 15 minutes a day, in an effort to counter declining interest in reading and the growing amount of time spent on phones. The five-year program is in a pilot phase until the end of this year.

Participants can register one reading session per day and receive 20 virtual coins for each session lasting at least 15 minutes. After accumulating 1,000 coins—the equivalent of 50 days of reading—they can receive one Singapore dollar, approximately 3.58 lei.

Authorities say the initiative aims to turn reading into a habit and promote deep reading, which specialists say develops attention, critical thinking, and imagination. The program uses gamification, through points and rewards, to make reading more appealing.

The campaign also includes a charitable component. Organizers hope to collect millions of minutes of reading and generate donations of up to 150,000 Singapore dollars this year.

However, the initiative has sparked debate. Supporters believe the financial reward can provide a useful incentive, while critics question whether it can create a lasting passion for books. Psychologists warn that money mainly motivates people who are already interested in reading.

The program comes amid concerns about “doomscrolling” and the constant consumption of online content. In Romania, approximately 29.5% of people read at least one book in the past 12 months, according to 2022 data.