Visualizing Literacy Rates Around the World

[daftandbarmy]

An interesting correlation with regions experiencing ongoing, apparently endless, conflicts:

Visualizing Literacy Rates Around the World​

For many people around the world, the ability to read is an essential tool that’s needed for day-to-day life. Yet, despite its importance, approximately 773 million people across the globe do not have access to this basic, often life-saving skill. When it comes to literacy rates, which countries are leading the way, and which ones are lagging behind?

This graphic by Eleonora Nazander visualizes literacy rates in over 150+ countries and provides a breakdown of male versus female literacy rates in each country, using data from UNESCO.

Visualizing Literacy Rates Around the World

Global literacy rates have increased in the last few decades, but some countries are still lagging behind, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

www.visualcapitalist.com

 

[Navy_Pete]

That's pretty neat, but remember seeing something talking about the difference between basic literacy and effectively literate. It was a pretty low bar, but the difference was that someone with basic literacy skills could read a road sign or restaurant menu (for example) while someone who was effectively literate could read a newspaper article (10th-ish grade level) and understand it enough to answer questions and have a discussion on it.

The reason it sticks in my mind is because we were in NS with a toddler at the time, and the effective literacy rate in a Halifax high school graduate was reported to be somewhere in the low 80%. so made a posting to the cube farm in Ottawa kind of appealing.

 

[mariomike]

I found these statistics of interest, considering the U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965 abolished literacy tests.

Literacy Statistics 2024- 2025

• 21% of adults in the US are illiterate in 2024.
• 54% of adults ( in the U.S. ) have a literacy below a 6th-grade level (20% are below 5th-grade level)

Literacy Statistics 2024- 2025 (Where we are now)

The capacity to read and write, commonly known as literacy, stands out as a pivotal determinant in shaping an individual's career trajectory. Individuals with literacy skills have access to a broad spectrum of career possibilities, including highly skilled and well-paying positions. Conversely...

www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com

( Yes, this thread is a couple of years old. But, figured posting to this one made more sense than starting a new thread on the same topic. )

 

[ModlrMike]

We're not doing so well ourselves:

• 14% have combined reading and numeracy skills that are at or below level 1
• 48% are considered to have inadequate literacy skills
• 38% are reading at level 3, which is considered the minimum required for coping with everyday life

Source: Literacy Rate in Canada l Literacy Across the Country l abclifeliteracy.ca

 

[mariomike]

See also,

List of countries by literacy rate.

List of Countries By Literacy Rate

The rate of literacy refers to the ability to sufficiently read and write. Many factors, such as accessibility and quality of education, can contribute to these rates.

www.worldatlas.com

Includes USA and Canada.