How many adults are unable to read?

Globally, around 739 million adults lack basic literacy skills (UNESCO, 2025), with two-thirds being women, while in the U.S., approximately 43-45 million adults (about 21%) have low literacy, struggling with tasks like reading simple instructions or comparing information, with even higher percentages (54%) reading below a 6th-grade level.

What percent of adults can't read?

21% of U.S. adults are classified as functionally illiterate, unable to complete basic reading tasks. The average American reads at a 7th- to 8th-grade level. Adults scoring in the lowest literacy levels (Level 1 or below) increased by 9 percentage points between 2017 and 2023.

Is it true that 40% of kids can't read?

Yes, it's largely true that around 40% of U.S. elementary students struggle with reading, with recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data showing about 40% of fourth graders scoring below the "Basic" level, meaning they lack fundamental comprehension skills, a figure that has worsened and is at its highest in two decades, especially after pandemic-related learning disruptions. While some sources suggest even higher numbers for broader literacy issues like fluency, the 40% figure for basic comprehension in fourth grade is a consistent finding from recent tests.
 

How many people struggle with reading?

Through our research and education initiatives, we drive multisector engagement in solving our country's literacy challenge. 130 million adults in the U.S. struggle to read basic sentences.

How many adults in the world can't read or write?

Despite this, worldwide at least 739 million adults still cannot read and write (UIS, 2025), two thirds of them women, and 250 million children are failing to acquire basic literacy skills.

The Adults Who Can't Read

Why is illiteracy so high in the US?

Schools in low-income areas have less parental support. Additionally, students from low-income backgrounds are less likely to have adult mentors with college experience. The resulting inequality in schools leads to lower average literacy.

How many adults are still illiterate?

The global number of illiterate adults declined from 754 million in 2023 to 739 million in 2024. This decrease reflects both revised population estimates from the UN Population Division's 2024 World Population Prospects (WPP) and updated national literacy statistics.

What country is #1 in literacy?

At the top, small wealthy states and former socialist countries such as Andorra, Finland, Russia, and Uzbekistan report literacy rates around 99, 100%.

Why are reading skills declining?

I think we have a lot of evidence to support the extent to which technology can be a distractor when students are engaged in learning processes. And that ability to distract, to compete for attention, could also lead to diminished appetite for persistence in reading on their own.

Is not being able to read a disability?

Is Illiteracy a Disability? Illiteracy, defined as the inability to read or write at a functional level, is not considered a disability in and of itself for Social Security disability benefits. Instead, illiteracy is looked at more like an educational level.

Do all gifted kids read early?

No, not all gifted kids read early; while many do, some gifted children are visual-spatial learners, have other interests, face learning challenges, or simply choose to learn later, making early reading a common but not universal sign of giftedness, according to the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented and experts like those in Psychology Today. 

What is the most common reading disability?

Dyslexia is a well-known learning disability that primarily impacts reading. People with dyslexia struggle to recognize and blend sounds in words, read fluently, and spell accurately. These difficulties persist despite having access to adequate instruction, making fluent reading a struggle.

Can Gen Z read?

Gen Z Students Are Struggling To Read Single Sentences And It Could Harm Their Futures, Professors Warn. College educators are reportedly rethinking their teaching methods as Gen Z students arrive on campus with weaker reading skills than previous generations.

What are common signs of illiteracy?

I've met someone who…

• Often find excuses to read material at home. Has difficulty pronouncing long or complex words. ...
• Has difficulty expressing simple ideas or abstract concepts. Prefers to memorize information rather than write it down. ...
• Submits invoices or memos with several spelling errors. Refuses a new promotion.

Is the rate of illiteracy rising?

Global illiteracy rates have increased by an average of 2.2% in 2024 and 2025, with 773 million people worldwide unable to read at all, according to a new report released by the World Literacy Foundation yesterday on International Literacy Day.

What is functional illiteracy?

Functional illiteracy means that a person cannot use reading, writing, and calculation skills for his/her own and the community's development. Functional illiteracy has considerable negative effects not only on personal development, but also in economic and social terms.

What is the 3 finger rule for reading?

The number of fingers they're holding up by the end of the page tells them if the book is the right level: 0-1 fingers: It's too easy. 2-3 fingers: It's just right. 4-5 fingers: It's too hard for independent reading (best read aloud with a buddy).

What is the root cause of poor reading?

Some major causes of poor reading ability are difficult text, ADHD, dyslexia, limited vocabulary, working memory deficit, and more. People may also have trouble with comprehension due to boredom or disinterest in what they are reading. Speed reading has proven to help deal with poor reading and comprehension skills.

What percent of Americans can't read?

About 21% of U.S. adults (around 43-45 million) are functionally illiterate, meaning they have low literacy skills, often reading below a fifth-grade level, while a larger portion, 54%, reads below a sixth-grade level, indicating significant challenges with everyday tasks, with recent data showing a concerning rise in low literacy levels among young adults. 

Where do the USA rank in literacy?

The U.S. literacy ranking varies by study but generally falls outside the top 10 globally, with some reports placing it around 36th globally for adult skills, despite near-universal basic literacy rates, because many adults read below a 6th-grade level. While 79% of U.S. adults have medium to high literacy, a significant portion struggles with complex texts, placing the nation lower in comparative assessments like PIAAC than countries like Japan or Finland.
 

Which country has a 100% literacy rate?

Literacy Rates by Country

Literacy rates in this graphic are defined as the percentage of people over the age of 15 that can read and write. There are nine countries in the world that have a 100% literacy rate: Andorra, Finland, Greenland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and North Korea.

What causes low literacy rates?

Causes of Low Literacy

• Undiagnosed learning disabilities.
• Hearing or vision loss.
• Lack of a role model, i.e. no one in the family or household stresses reading or education.
• Poverty or a focus on survival needs rather than education.

What is the least educated country in the world?

Niger. Of the countries on this list, Niger has the lowest average for educational attainment: just 1.4 years (out of an expected 8.3).

How do you tell if you are functionally illiterate?

Adults classified as below level 1 may be considered functionally illiterate in English: i.e., unable to successfully determine the meaning of sentences, read relatively short texts to locate a single piece of information, or complete simple forms (OECD 2013).

Are we more literate now than 100 years ago?

Over the course of the 19th century, global literacy more than doubled. And over the course of the 20th century the world achieved rapid progress in education. More than 4 out of 5 people are now able to read. Younger generations are better educated than ever before.