Education > Literacy > Adults at low literacy level: Countries Compared
Author: Edria Murray, Staff Editor
<p>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.</p>
<p>In this study, a low level of literacy represents a skill level lower than that required for successful completion of secondary education. </p>
<p> A person with low literacy may be able to read a little, but will have difficulty filling out forms, comparing data, integrating information and following complex or unclear instructions. Low literacy affects a persons\' quality of employment, employment options, training opportunities, financial status, their ability to help their children prepare for school and their ability to access services. </p>
<p>In this study, a low level of literacy represents a skill level lower than that required for successful completion of secondary education. </p>
<p> A person with low literacy may be able to read a little, but will have difficulty filling out forms, comparing data, integrating information and following complex or unclear instructions. Low literacy affects a persons\' quality of employment, employment options, training opportunities, financial status, their ability to help their children prepare for school and their ability to access services. </p>
DEFINITION:
Percentage of adults whose level of document literacy is rated 'low'. Data for 1998.
CONTENTS
Citation
Interesting observations about Education > Literacy > Adults at low literacy level
- All of the top 2 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are Catholic.
- All of the top 4 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are Christian.
- All of the top 2 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are European.
- All of the bottom 14 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are High income OECD.
- All of the top 4 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are European Union.
- Germany ranked last for literacy > adults at low literacy level amongst Group of 7 countries (G7) in 1998.
- All of the top 3 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are NATO.
- Canada ranked last for literacy > adults at low literacy level amongst English speaking countries in 1998.
- 2 of the top 3 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are Emerging markets'.
- 13 of the bottom 16 countries by literacy > adults at low literacy level are Cold countries'.
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<p>In this study, a low level of literacy represents a skill level lower than that required for successful completion of secondary education. </p>
<p> A person with low literacy may be able to read a little, but will have difficulty filling out forms, comparing data, integrating information and following complex or unclear instructions. Low literacy affects a persons\' quality of employment, employment options, training opportunities, financial status, their ability to help their children prepare for school and their ability to access services. </p>
Posted on 14 Jan 2005
Edria Murray, Staff Editor
