Literacy Facts
Adult literacy is measured on a scale of 1 to 5. Level 3 — equivalent to high school completion — is the desired threshold for coping with the rapidly changing skill demands of a knowledge-based economy and society. Understanding how literacy is measured allows us to place the issue of adult literacy in context.
In Canada, adult literacy rates (ages 16-65) are assessed through the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). This international study was first conducted in 2012, and with new results recently released we’ll soon gain insight into how literacy levels have changed over the past decade.
An Overview of Canada’s 2012 Literacy Results
While Canada is often seen as a highly literate society, the data shows that literacy levels are lower than many might expect:
- 16% of adults read at level 1 or below—the lowest literacy levels
- 14% read at levels 4 and 5—the highest literacy levels
- 22% struggle with numeracy, scoring at or below level 1
- 14% have both low reading and numeracy skills (level 1 or below)
- 48% have inadequate literacy skills
- 38% read at level 3, the minimum needed for daily life
- 10% report no computer experience or lack basic digital skills
- 37% achieved the highest scores in problem-solving in tech-rich environments
- 58% participated in formal or informal adult learning in the past year