Denmark is proposing to eliminate its 25% sales tax on books, currently the highest rate in the world, to revive slumping reading rates.
Driving the news: The idea is simple: axing the tax would lead to lower consumer prices, resulting in interest from price-conscious would-be readers. Denmark’s culture minister also said the government has set money aside for strengthening ties with libraries and schools.
- A wide array of countries have no sales tax on books, including Mexico and the U.K., while others have reduced rates to try and promote reading.
Why it matters: People everywhere, including in Canada, are reading less, which is impacting literacy. However, it’s unclear if cheaper reads will awaken dormant bookworms.
- When Sweden reduced its book sales tax in 2001, it found that the move did boost book sales, but that already-voracious readers accounted for most new purchases.
- Meanwhile, a 2020 study concluded that reduced sales taxes usually lower prices and increase publisher financing, but “may or may not result in a higher level of readership.”
Bottom line: Disinterest in the written word is trickling down. A recent U.K. survey found just 41% of parents read to their kids before they turn five, down from 64% in 2012. It’s hard to believe that this trend (plus, you know, the internet) hasn’t contributed to the fact that just a third of kids aged five to 10 frequently read for fun, down from over half in 2012.—QH
