Literacy rates among youth (aged 15 to 24) and adults are the test of an educational system, and the overall trend is positive, thanks to the expansion of educational opportunities. Globally, the youth literacy rate increased from 83 per cent to 91 per cent over two decades, while the number of illiterate youth declined from 170 million to 115 million. Regional and gender disparities persist, however. Literacy is lowest in least developed countries and higher among males than females. In the most recent years for which data are available, young women accounted for 59 per cent of the total illiterate youth population.
Despite the massive strides taken by all countries to increase literacy, two big obstacles keep literacy rates down in several countries. These two obstacles are enrollment and retention; because despite providing public education, some don't remain in school or even enroll. In 2/3 countries literacy among the youth is about the same for both men and women, yet in West and Central Africa and Southern Asia illiterate women outweigh the men. Moreover, women account for 59% of global illiterate youth. While women do lag behind, we can hope that literacy numbers will increase in the coming decade for both women and men.
To find out more: https://data.unicef.org/topic/education/literacy/
Comentários