18 September, 2026

When did you last lose yourself in a book rather than your phone? If your bedside pile is gathering dust, Singapore has an interesting proposition. 

Singapore’s ReadSG campaign encourages 15 minutes of daily reading, with virtual coins exchangeable for cash. 

There are good reasons to help people get started. A recent research review links reading for pleasure with reduced stress, greater empathy and improved wellbeing in adults, alongside better attention and memory in children. But information alone doesn’t clear space in a busy day. 

That’s what makes Singapore’s approach interesting. It gives people a manageable action to repeat, and an immediate reason to do it. The potential health benefits may feel distant; a small reward makes starting today more appealing. 

Is paying people to read a good thing? We think it’s worth testing. An incentive could help someone through the effort of establishing a routine, giving enjoyment time to develop. But there’s a tension: if reading becomes a task completed for payment, will people stop when the money does? 

The answer may depend on what accompanies the incentive. Easy access to appealing books, a regular time to read and people to share recommendations with could all help the routine stick. 

For businesses encouraging positive habits, the lesson is to think beyond the initial reward. Make the behaviour easy to repeat and something people enjoy doing. Singapore’s success should ultimately be measured by how many people keep reading once there’s no payment attached. 

By Alice Railton