Low literacy rates break down along racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines.
80% of low-income children lose reading skills over summer breaks due to lack of access to books.
52% of Black fourth graders and 45% of Hispanic fourth graders score below basic reading levels due to unequal opportunities, compared to 23% of white fourth graders.
Literacy doesn’t have to be a barrier—help us make it a bridge. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
Fewer than 10% of adults with low literacy levels are enrolled in an adult education program.
80% of adults at these levels say they don't feel knowledgeable about adult education opportunities, and are less likely to seek them out.
Spread awareness and break down stigma regarding adult literacy. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
85% of juveniles in the juvenile court system are considered to be illiterate.
Incarcerated people who participate in correctional educational programs are 43% less likely to reenter the prison system.
Understand the importance of legal literacy for justice. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
Reading builds empathy and cultural understanding. 1 in 3 young people said it helped them understand others' views and cultures.
Children who read fiction are more likely to have high emotional intelligence and understand diverse perspectives
Help us form a brighter and kinder future through literacy. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
Daily reading for pleasure has fallen over 40% in kids over the past 20 years.
Early reading for pleasure is linked to less stress, aggression, and inattention in adolescence. Plus, it provides the joy that we all remember from our favorite childhood stories!
Give children a chance to foster a precious love of reading with increased access. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
Literacy is a human right, which was enshrined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
It is also a stated goal of the UN's Sustainable Development Agenda. By 2030, the goal is to guarantee equal and high quality education to everyone.
Join the global movement to uphold human rights and ensure a better future. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
5.5 million more girls than boys are out of school globally, increasing the gendered gap in literacy.
63% of adults with low literacy are women.
Each extra year of school can increase these women's earnings by 20%.
Illiteracy doesn't impact everyone equally. We must speak up for those most in need. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
72% of children who enter kindergarten with on-level literacy are more likely to graduate high school.
20 percentile points can be the difference made in reading skills by early literacy interventions.
Early action is essential. We must start helping now. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
Poor health literacy
Low literacy rates are also a mental health risk—anxiety and depression are more common in people with low literacy.
Illiteracy has impacts beyond academia. We must work to create a safer world. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
750 million adults do not reach basic benchmarks in reading and writing.
258 million children are out of school and not receiving a formal education.
Illiteracy is cyclical. We must build better patterns. Learn more at World Literacy Foundation.
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