The Danish government has revealed its plan to eliminate a 25% sales tax on books as part of an initiative to address the ongoing "reading crisis" within the country. Culture Minister Jacob Engel-Schmidt announced that the decision intends to boost book sales and foster a greater appreciation for reading among Danes, especially the younger population. The tax removal is projected to cost around 330 million kroner ($50 million, £38 million) annually.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which monitors various educational indicators internationally, has reported troubling statistics, indicating that nearly 25% of Danish 15-year-olds struggle to comprehend simple texts. "The reading crisis has unfortunately been spreading in recent years," Engel-Schmidt mentioned, expressing pride in the decision to eliminate the tax, emphasizing the importance of investing in the cultural consumption of Danish society.
In comparison, neighboring Nordic countries have significantly lower VAT rates on books: Finland at 14%, Sweden at 6%, and Norway at 0%. In the UK, books are also exempt from VAT altogether. According to Mads Rosendahl Thomsen, vice-chair of the government's literature working group, surveys indicate a decrease in reading comprehension among teenagers, who often find themselves distracted by various forms of entertainment.
Although Thomsen acknowledged that removing the tax wouldn't single-handedly resolve the issue, he believes it would make literature more accessible and appealing to a younger audience. The working group is also exploring other strategies, such as promoting Danish literature abroad, digitalizing the book market, and assessing compensation for authors in light of these changes.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which monitors various educational indicators internationally, has reported troubling statistics, indicating that nearly 25% of Danish 15-year-olds struggle to comprehend simple texts. "The reading crisis has unfortunately been spreading in recent years," Engel-Schmidt mentioned, expressing pride in the decision to eliminate the tax, emphasizing the importance of investing in the cultural consumption of Danish society.
In comparison, neighboring Nordic countries have significantly lower VAT rates on books: Finland at 14%, Sweden at 6%, and Norway at 0%. In the UK, books are also exempt from VAT altogether. According to Mads Rosendahl Thomsen, vice-chair of the government's literature working group, surveys indicate a decrease in reading comprehension among teenagers, who often find themselves distracted by various forms of entertainment.
Although Thomsen acknowledged that removing the tax wouldn't single-handedly resolve the issue, he believes it would make literature more accessible and appealing to a younger audience. The working group is also exploring other strategies, such as promoting Danish literature abroad, digitalizing the book market, and assessing compensation for authors in light of these changes.
