The most profitable business in the world isn't finance or real estate—it's reading. This article dives deep into the profound impact of reading and how nations like the Jewish people, Germans, and Japanese have harnessed the power of books to shape their futures. Learn why investing time in reading is the smartest and most lucrative decision you can make for yourself.

What is the most profitable business in the world? To answer this, we need to ask: 

who are the best at making money?

The answer: the Jews. 

And what is their most profitable venture? 

Financial services? 

No, it’s reading!

Can reading really be considered a business? 

Absolutely. Reading is the most profitable and cost-effective business in the world. The knowledge and wisdom accumulated by previous generations are passed down through books, refined over hundreds and even thousands of years. By investing just a few days, we can absorb this knowledge and turn it into our own, transforming it into stored wisdom.

The biggest business in the world is changing it, and wisdom is the best tool to achieve that transformation. Many successful people stand on the shoulders of giants, absorbing the wisdom of those who came before them.

It’s no coincidence that Jews lead the world in average reading volume. 

Though they represent only 0.2% of the world’s population, Jews have won 29% of Nobel Prizes, inspired billions with the Bible, and excel in every field. Despite being scattered across 2000 years and 115 countries, they founded Israel, now a powerful and economically advanced nation.

Jewish vitality stems from their deep connection to reading. Bookshelves are placed at the head of their beds, never at the foot, and they avoid burning books, even those critical of them. On the Sabbath, while everything from shops to buses closes, bookstores remain open, and the number of readers soars.

The key to Jewish financial success lies in their profound reading habits.

Germany, too, exemplifies the power of reading. Twice devastated in history, Germany has risen to become Europe’s strongest economy. Germans are as passionate about books as they are about beer, with an average of 1.7 bookstores per 17,000 people and an impressive 1.29 billion library books.

Though small in population, Germany boasts one of the world’s largest book markets and holds an unparalleled passion for reading. Their book preferences often delve into deep, intellectual content, producing a long line of philosophers, writers, and thinkers.

Finally, Japan, second only to the Jews in reading volume, is another nation that treasures books. A scholar once said that Tokyo’s most striking feature wasn’t its architecture but its bookstores—particularly the 180 in Kanda district alone. Japan is filled with readers from all walks of life, from the elderly to businesspeople, making reading a core part of its culture.

In these nations, reading isn't just a hobby—it's a critical means of achieving influence and success. So, why aren't you engaging in the world's most profitable business?