Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Literacy rates refer to the percentage of people in a given population who can read and write. It is an important indicator of educational development and access to knowledge.
Related terms
Illiteracy: Illiteracy refers to the inability to read or write. It is the opposite of literacy and indicates limited access to education.
Functional literacy: Functional literacy refers to basic reading and writing skills that are necessary for everyday life tasks, such as reading street signs or filling out forms.
Global literacy rate: The global literacy rate represents the average literacy level across all countries worldwide. It helps compare educational progress on a global scale.