Definition: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world.
Source: CIA World Factbook - Unless otherwise noted, information in this page is accurate as of January 1, 2012
See also: Literacy mapRelated News
Literacy in the Arab world remains below the developed nations' minimum average of 95 per cent
ameinfo.com - 5/22/2013 11:56:38 PM
Literacy rates in the Arab world remain below the minimum average of 95 per cent in the developed nations, despite several countries notching up increasingly high literacy statistics. However, according to a recent survey conducted by the Dubai based Madar ...
2013 Financial Literacy Forum Series Dispatch
Yahoo! - 5/24/2013 3:11:43 PM
NEW YORK (MainStreet)—Last week something very important ... the first panel in the 2013 Financial Literacy Forum Series met to discuss finance, education and the idea that we can improve an economy from the bottom up. It deserves a lot more coverage ...
Literacy and Pakistan
DAWN Group - 5/23/2013 8:32:02 AM
In spite of the rows of educational plans, policies, conferences and five-year plans, our literacy rate could not increase much. Pakistan ranks at 113th position among 120 countries of the world. This is an international embarrassment.
WORLD LITERACY DAY: Is education for all feasible by 2015?
Vanguard - 9/6/2012 1:50:32 AM
Of the world’s 800 million adults who lack the basic learning tools to make informed decisions and participate fully in the development of their societies, nearly 70 per cent live in E9 countries. Tackling the literacy gap is both a moral and development ...
Improving women's financial literacy, worldwide
Minuteman News Center - 5/21/2013 9:53:09 AM
Bottom line: Women throughout the world face unique economic and financial literacy challenges ... the biggest financial hurdles an overwhelming number of women in her country face is their status as single mothers – around 56 percent.
The future for Ford workers: literacy will be key
theconversation.com - 5/23/2013 9:17:58 PM
Yesterday’s announcement that Ford will close its manufacturing operations in Geelong and Broadmeadows by 2016 at the cost of 1,200 jobs raises questions of what the workers' future employment options are. But as these workers consider their futures, we ...
Tripura to emerge as fully literate state by September
articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com - 4/12/2013 3:47:12 PM
AGARTALA: Tripura will emerge as a total literate state in the country before World Literacy Day on September 8, a minister said today. A meeting of the State Literacy Mission Authority presided by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar reviewed the status ...
Nigeria needs new standard in digital literacy –Expert
nationalmirroronline.net - 5/23/2013 5:25:55 AM
An Information and Communication Technology expert, Dr. Niran Oyekale, has advocated the need for Nigeria to promote digital literacy in various aspects of its economy to cope with the various challenges of the 21st Century. Oyekale, who is the Chief ...
Literacy in the Middle East and North Africa
Council on Foreign Relations - 5/6/2013 5:56:14 PM
As the 2002 Arab Human Development Report noted, adult literacy in the Arab world is shamefully low–and lower than the average in developing countries. However, countries are making efforts to tackle their literacy challenges. The above graph shows ...
EU commits to ensuring basic education for every child by 2030
ReliefWeb - 5/24/2013 3:15:53 AM
As much as €2.5 billion will be mobilised for education ... Multilingualism and Youth), as well as Gordon Brown (United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education), and Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (UNESCO Special ...
Better World Books to Provide $45,000 in LEAP Grants for Libraries and Non-Profits
San Francisco Gate - 2/28/2013 10:00:20 PM
Social business pioneer to fund projects addressing literacy needs of communities across the country. Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) February 28, 2013 Better World Books, the socially responsible online bookseller, today announces their third-annual Literacy and ...
Media Literacy,Partnership, and Coordination Director
ReliefWeb - 5/22/2013 11:06:32 PM
Education Development Center (EDC) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development ... media can enable a much needed national conversation vital to contributing to the country’s democratic development.
Luau for Literacy set for June 6
Tribune-Star - 5/23/2013 8:53:31 AM
May 23, 2013 Indiana State Museum to host out-of-this-world exhibition It’s the ... Fifty Shades of Leis — A Luau for Literacy, an exotic island feast, is set for 6 to 8 p.m. June 6 in the Country Club of Terre Haute at Allendale.
Vice President Confers National Literacy Awards at International Literacy Day -2012 Function in Lucknow
India Education Diary - 5/21/2013 11:57:50 PM
Our literacy rate of 74 percent, achieved in the last decade, is much below the world average of 84 per cent and is in sharp contrast to what has been achieved by some Asian countries like China, Iran, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. He said that we consoled ...
Improving women's financial literacy
Daily Comet - 5/18/2013 1:28:28 AM
According to South African financial journalist Maya Fischer-French, among the biggest financial hurdles an overwhelming number of women in her country face ... Women throughout the world face unique economic and financial literacy challenges.
