Facts about illiteracy

According to UNESCO, in the world today there are about 1 billion non-literate adults.

• This 1 billion is approximately 26 percent of the world's adult population.
• Women make up two-thirds of all non-literates.
• 98 percent of all non-literates live in developing countries.
• In the least developed countries, the overall illiteracy rate is 49 percent.
• 52 percent of all non-literates live in India and China.
• Africa as a continent has a literacy rate of less than 60 percent.
• In Sub-Saharan Africa since 1980, primary school enrollment has declined, going from 58 percent to 50 percent.
• In all developing countries, the percentage of children aged 6-11 not attending school is 15 percent. In the least developed countries, it is 45 percent.(UNESCO 1998)

In the world today, the number of people speaking lesser-known languages is 1.25 billion, that is 20 percent of the world's population.

• The average adult literacy rate among that population is an estimated 31 percent.
• The average adult literacy rate in their mother tongue among speakers of lesser-known languages is an estimated 12 percent.
• 26 countries have more than 90 percent of the total national population speaking lesser-known languages. The average literacy rate in these countries is 63 percent.
• 21 countries have less than 1 percent of the total national population speaking lesser-known languages. The average literacy rate in these countries is 93 percent.
• Of the world's non-literate population, an estimated 476 million are speakers of lesser-known languages. In other words, approximately 50 percent of all non-literates are minority language speakers.

There is a correlation between income and illiteracy.

• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate less than 55 percent averages about $600
• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate between 55 and 84 percent is $2,400
• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate between 85 and 95 percent is $3,700
• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate above 96 percent is $12,600

Literacy may have become a current "buzz word" but the importance of this major global issue has long been recognized by international educators and is laden with related issues, such as quality of life. Members of minority groups, without pen, paper, or literature in print in their own language, or literacy in any other language, are marginalized and certainly on the downside of the so-called digital divide. The current intensity and speed of globalization compounds the urgency of addressing the issue of literacy for all, especially among the poor and marginalized on as many fronts as possible.

Illiteracy and Income

One issue can not be ignored: Is there a relationship between illiteracy and income? Some of the figures at the extremes in the rates of literacy compared to the range of GNP per capita could suggest that there is a correlation.

Inthe comparison of these figures, as the literacy rate doubles, so doubles the per capita income. The message here, at least in individual economic terms, is that literacy has payoffs and is a worthwhile investment—so it seems.

Illiteracy may mean income loss not only for the individual but for society at large as well. According to the National Adult Literacy Survey, in the US alone, adult illiteracy carries an estimated price tag of more than $17 billion per year as a result of lost income and tax revenue, welfare, unemployment, crime and incarceration, and training cost for business and industry. This could suggest that the price tag for illiteracy at large is more than the cost of literacy.

However, figures like those above that suggest a causal correlation do not present the whole picture or may be misleading. A vast array of more complex factors are involved.

Usually for literacy to equal a better job, it has to be fluent literacy, accompanied by well-developed writing skills, mathematics, and general knowledge far beyond what is normally acquired in a basic adult literacy class. Secondly, literacy does not necessarily equate wealth.

What literacy can mean for both the individual and society at large is betterment of people's lives—enhanced self-esteem, ability to read instructions on medications and civic documents, ability to learn new things which will help them to expand their knowledge, ability to cope with the majority society, etc. Literacy provides people with the option of becoming members of a self-confident and informed populace that can understand issues, represent themselves, take responsibility for self-improvement and family health, and better participate in civic affairs. These are among the more priceless payoffs of literacy.

Copyright © 2007 SIL International