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Education > Literacy > Adults at low literacy level: Countries Compared

Edria Murray, Staff Editor

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>
DEFINITION: Percentage of adults whose level of document literacy is rated 'low'. Data for 1998.

CONTENTS

# COUNTRY AMOUNT DATE GRAPH
1 Portugal 80.1% 1998
2 Poland 76.1% 1998
3 Hungary 67.1% 1998
4 Ireland 57% 1998
5 New Zealand 50.6% 1998
6 United Kingdom 50.4% 1998
7 United States 49.6% 1998
8 Switzerland 47.2% 1998
9 Australia 44.8% 1998
10 Canada 42.9% 1998
11 Czech Republic 42.3% 1998
12 Germany 41.7% 1998
13 Finland 36.8% 1998
14 Netherlands 35.9% 1998
15 Denmark 32% 1998
16 Norway 29.7% 1998
17 Sweden 25.1% 1998

Citation

Education > Literacy > Adults at low literacy level: Countries Compared Map

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Interesting observations about Education > Literacy > Adults at low literacy level

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<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>

Posted on 14 Jan 2005

Edria Murray, Staff Editor

Edria Murray, Staff Editor

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