US Edition'Reading Crisis' Prompts Denmark to End 25% Tax on Books
The tax cut aims to improve access to books amid concerns that 24% of Danish 15-year-olds struggle with basic reading, costing the state $51 million annually.
- On Wednesday, Denmark's government announced it will abolish the 25% sales tax on books, with Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt saying, `We need to do all we can to fix this reading crisis that has unfortunately spread in recent years`.
- Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows one quarter of Danish 15-year-olds cannot understand a simple text, while reading surveys and experts link falling teenage reading to shorter attention spans and digital distractions.
- Budget documents and comparisons show the policy costs about 330 million kroner annually, while Denmark's book VAT contrasts with Finland at 14%, Sweden at 6%, and Norway at zero.
- Publishers welcomed the decision, saying Denmark's publishing industry pushed the tax cut to ensure physical books remain accessible for children and adults, while Engel-Schmidt hopes it leads to more books flying off shelves and feels "incredibly proud" of the move.
- Officials caution that removing VAT is not a complete solution but would make books more accessible, while the government's working group on literature examined exports, digitalisation, and authors' pay.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The Government of Denmark proposes removing VAT from 25% to books to stimulate reading. The measure will cost the state of approximately € 44.2 million per year. Romania will become the country with the largest VAT in EU books after recent growth by 11%. Romania will reach a 1st place in which it would not have wanted it. The country of the European Union with the largest VAT for the sale of books.
The Danish government plans to abolish the VAT on books to encourage citizens to read more. The current 25% rate is the highest in the world and, according to authorities, contributes to the country's declining reading habits. The proposal to abolish the tax will appear in the latest draft budget bill.
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