Literacy by the Numbers

Reading changes everything. It shapes income, health, civic participation and confidence. When we talk about literacy, we are talking about whether people can fully take part in the world around them.

The big picture

• 773 million. Adults worldwide who cannot read or write.
• 58 percent. Children in low-income countries who cannot read a simple text by age 10.
• 171 million. People who could be lifted from poverty if all left school with basic reading skills.
• 10 percent. Increase in earnings for every additional year of schooling.

From chalkboards to interactive screens

Whiteboards gave way to smart boards, and desktops gave way to tablets. Today's students use adaptive software that responds to how they learn, not just how fast they answer. Virtual labs, real-time quizzes and AI tutors are making education more personal than ever.

The living room as the learning room

Broadband turned the home into a second school. That is why digital equity matters: device lending, free Wi-Fi locations and broadband assistance make sure every learner can reach the same opportunities.

Adapted from the Library Literacy Hub at collettecurates.org.