Literacy adults with at least moderate literacy by country. Definition, graph and map.

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	Sweden:	74.9%
# 2	Norway:	70.3%
# 3	Denmark:	68%
# 4	Netherlands:	64.1%
# 5	Finland:	63.2%
# 6	Germany:	58.3%
# 7	Czech Republic:	57.7%
# 8	Canada:	57.1%
# 9	Australia:	55.2%
# 10	Switzerland:	52.8%
# 11	United States:	50.4%
# 12	United Kingdom:	49.6%
# 13	New Zealand:	49.4%
# 14	Ireland:	43%
# 15	Hungary:	32.9%
# 16	Poland:	23.9%
# 17	Portugal:	19.9%
	Weighted average:	52.4%

DEFINITION: Percentage of adult females who have at least a moderate level of literacy, in selected OECD countries. Data for 1998.

SOURCE: OECD

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COMMENTARY

Edria Murray
Staff Editor
14th January 2005

Traditionally literacy statistics have divided adults into two groups, those who can read and those who cannot. This division is misleading as the level of literacy of adults is really a continuum. Many who would pass the 'literate' threshold may have difficulty with information involving complex tasks or instructions that are not clearly laid out.

In this study, moderate literacy is roughly equivalent to the skill level required for successful completion of secondary education.

As the literacy levels of males and females differ, see also Adults with at least moderate literacy – male and Adults with at least moderate literacy - female

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