What if reading a book could earn you money? Singapore is turning that idea into reality. The National Library Board of Singapore has rolled out ReadSG, a five-year reading movement where individuals can earn points for having 15 minutes of daily reading time with a book. This program was rolled out on September 6 in tandem with Singapore’s first National Reading Month. The goal of this initiative is to encourage people to cultivate the reading habit in an age dominated by digital media.
How Singapore’s ReadSG reading reward works
Under the ReadSG campaign, participants can log at least 15 minutes of reading each day through the government’s CrowdTask SG platform. Each qualifying session earns 20 virtual coins, although only one session can be counted per day.
Once participants collect 1,000 coins, they can exchange them for S$1. Although the financial incentive is small, the intention behind the program is to make reading an everyday activity rather than an occasional one.
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The 15-minute target is intentionally short. According to reports, it can be fitted into everyday moments such as a train journey, waiting for a bus or taking a coffee break.
Singapore reading statistics behind the campaign
The initiative comes despite relatively strong reading habits among Singaporean adults. A 2024 National Library Board study found that 89 per cent of adults read more than once a week, while 28 per cent said they read books.
The campaign therefore focuses less on basic literacy and more on encouraging people to spend time with longer-form reading.
The National Library Board says long-form reading can support attention, critical thinking and imagination.
ReadSG also links reading with charity
Singapore’s reading push is not limited to individual rewards. Through its Read for Good initiative, recorded reading time can also contribute towards charity funding.
The programme has set a target of 7.5 million minutes, which could unlock up to S$150,000 for selected community programmes.
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ReadSG campaign is currently in pilot phase
The ReadSG reading challenge is currently being tested in a pilot phase. Further features are expected to develop based on feedback from participants.
By combining a simple daily reading target, digital rewards and a community-focused charity element, Singapore’s latest reading initiative is attempting to make 15 minutes of reading a day part of ordinary life.