As you continue to determine the standard of living for your selected countries, another factor to examine is the literacy rate. Literacy rate as defined by The World Bank is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Take a look at the map below that represents literacy rates around the world.

World Literacy Rate
Image of a word map shaded to illustrate the literacy rate of each country.

Source: Literacy rate world, Dwrcan, Wikimedia.

Activity

Answer the following questions based on the map above:

  1. In which continent(s) are the highest literacy rates found?
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    Check Your Answer

    The highest literacy rates are found in North and South America, Europe, North and East Asia and Australia.Close Pop Up
  2. In which continent(s) are the lowest literacy rates found?
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    Check Your Answer

    The lowest literacy rates are found in South Asia and Africa. Close Pop Up

Video segment. Assistance may be required. This next video will give you a better understanding of how literacy rates impact the standard of living. After watching the video, answer the questions that follow in your notes.

Source: euronews learning world: Adult literacy- the right to read, Euronews, YouTube

Mozambique

  1. What percentage of the citizens of Mozambique are not literate?
  2. Why is the government of Mozambique focused on improving literacy, especially for women?

Spain

  1. Why do the women of Lorca want to improve their literacy?
  2. How does their work in theater arts work towards their literacy?

Washington D.C.

  1. What percentage of the residents of Washington D.C. are not literate?
  2. Which gender is more illiterate in Washington D.C.?
  3. What are some of the reasons for low literacy rates in Washington D.C.?