Singapore Is Paying People to Put Down Their Phones and Read Books

Singapore’s National Library Board has launched a five-year pilot program called ReadSG, aimed at encouraging daily reading habits among the largely phone-obsessed population. The initiative converts logged reading time into virtual coins, which can be redeemed for cash. Participants must log at least 15 minutes of reading on the government platform each day to earn 20 virtual coins, with the value of one daily session amounting to about S$0.02.

Only one session per day counts towards the coin balance. Successful completion of fifty consecutive reading sessions earns a single Singapore dollar. The program is described as a modest incentive, intended to act as a behavioral nudge rather than a means to generate income. In addition to the personal aspect, ReadSG features a parallel “Read for Good” track, which encourages participants to collectively log 7.5 million minutes of reading – a goal that would unlock a charitable donation of up to S$150,000.

The campaign builds upon previous national literacy initiatives and follows a decade-long National Reading Movement launched in 2016. Critics question whether the small financial reward will draw in those who are not already inclined to read. Proponents, however, reference behavioral economics research, suggesting that even minimal incentives can help form new habits when participation barriers remain low.

The coin system draws inspiration from the mechanics of fitness apps and loyalty programs, which have long conditioned users to engage through small rewards. Governments and educators are closely monitoring ReadSG as an early test of whether gamification and micropayments can alter public behavior on a large scale. The campaign represents a relatively new approach in civic design where gamification and micropayments are applied to promote a public interest behavior.

If ReadSG garners strong participation data over its five-year run, it could serve as a case study for other cities seeking to devise similar strategies. The collected behavioral data may prove valuable to policymakers seeking to understand what genuinely diverts people from their screens. The initiative highlights an interesting facet of 2026, where governments have introduced financial incentives to make reading as appealing as scrolling through a phone.

The success of the program hinges on how many individuals are willing to open a book and log their reading time in the coming days.