Denmark Scraps Book Tax to Tackle 'Reading Crisis'
Denmark is eliminating its 25% VAT on books in a bid to fight what officials are calling a national "reading crisis." Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt says the move, which will cost the state around 330 million kroner annually, is about putting “everything at stake” to get more people reading. “I am incredibly proud,” he added, calling it a major investment in Denmark’s cultural future.
OECD data recently revealed that one in four Danish 15-year-olds can't understand a simple text — numbers Engel-Schmidt called “pretty shocking.” Experts blame screen time and digital distractions for the drop in reading levels. The government hopes removing the tax will make books more accessible, especially to young readers. “It is also about getting literature out there,” the minister said, noting new efforts to strengthen partnerships between schools and libraries.
Other Nordic countries already offer tax breaks on books: Norway has none, Sweden charges 6%, and Finland 14%. Engel-Schmidt said he will monitor prices closely to ensure publishers don’t pocket the savings. “If it turns out that abolishing VAT only means that publishers’ profits grow and prices do not fall, then we must consider whether it was the right thing to do.”
