Singapore has rolled out a five-year national reading movement that offers small financial incentives to citizens who commit to reading at least 15 minutes each day.

The National Library Board launched the ReadSG campaign on September 6 as a response to widespread digital distractions and habits like doomscrolling on social media. Officials aim to build stronger attention spans, critical thinking, and imagination through consistent long-form reading.

Participants track their sessions on the government-run CrowdTask SG platform. Each qualifying 15-minute reading period earns 20 virtual coins, with 1,000 coins convertible to S$1, roughly 80 U.S. cents. Only one session counts per day, meaning it takes 50 days to reach the first dollar payout.

National Library Board chief executive Melissa Tam highlighted the challenges of the current information environment. “We live in a world of extraordinary abundance, of content, information and stimulation,” she said. “At any moment, we can scroll through hundreds of headlines, watch a video or get a summary of almost anything.” She added that habits form through small, consistent actions, making the 15-minute target an achievable starting point.

The program is in a pilot phase through December 31, with plans to expand features based on user feedback. It targets 150,000 participants by September 2027. Bonus rewards, including limited-edition library charms, are available for attending select events through November.

A parallel Read for Good charity drive runs through early October, where logged reading minutes help raise S$150,000 for disadvantaged communities. The effort replaces the previous National Reading Movement and draws inspiration from step-counting challenges.

Singapore has a strong baseline in reading performance, with its students ranking at the top in the 2025 PISA assessment. The new push focuses instead on turning occasional reading into a daily routine amid competition from short-form digital content.

The government has previously used incentives to shape citizen behavior in areas such as physical activity. This reading initiative follows a similar approach while addressing concerns about the effects of constant social media use on young people.