Reasons To Read: the importance of literacy in development

by Freya Van-De-Gevel

With rapid technological advancements and fierce job competition, it is easy to see why those who lack the basic skills to even read and write are being left behind in today’s world. 

Presently, the global rate of literacy for people above the age of fifteen stands at 86.3%. However, there is an incredibly large gap between developed countries which have an overall rate of 99% compared to places like sub-Saharan Africa (64%) and South and West Asia (70.2%). These areas have 75% of the world’s 781 million illiterate adults, and globally two thirds of these are women.

In developing countries, girls are more likely to drop out of school because traditional female responsibilities fall upon them such as looking after the children and taking care of their home. They are sometimes also encouraged to give up their studies to marry young and relieve the stress of poverty upon their family.

The long-term impacts of a literate and educated woman are invaluable to herself, her family and the economy. Studies show that they find it easier to seek employment and earn more than their illiterate counterparts. They are more likely than men to reinvest the majority (90%) of their income in their family. They also wait longer to have babies which results in fewer, healthier children and reduces the rate of infant and maternal mortality. 

Here in Ghana, NFED helps communities by providing them with training and learning resources to start their own adult literacy classes. At International Service we have seen the tremendous effect of these classes among the income generating groups that we work with. These groups have a better understanding of the training sessions delivered, are implementing record and minute keeping and many of the communities have or are currently registering to become recognised cooperatives. 

Have a look at some of the reasons why literacy is a key factor for developmental success. 

1. Education 

Volunteers Latifa & Mahfuz learn about development in our active citizenship pack

Literacy goes hand-in-hand with good education. In particular, females in developing countries who have access to education and are able to become literate are less likely to marry young. This reduces the rate of infant and maternal mortality and these women are also more likely to send their children to school and they are often better prepared to begin learning how to read.

2. Employment opportunities

Applying for a job becomes much harder when you can’t read the job application and employers favour literate adults because they are much easier to train. With a growing population of literate adults, more job roles will be created to accommodate the increasingly skilled workforce which will lead to greater innovation.

3. Community engagement

IGG members in Sahakpalugu working with volunteers on a survey

Literate adults become more active within their communities and are more likely to take part in decision-making processes. They are able to share and record their own thoughts and ideas that may positively impact the livelihoods of their family and also those within the community.

4. Empowerment and self-esteem

Sasiya is a local businesswoman; her literacy removes lots of barriers to her economic empowerment!

Adults who learn to read and write experience an improvement in self-esteem. This leads to them to becoming more engaged within their society and more active in their own lives. This is especially true amongst disadvantaged group such as women and ethnic minorities who can actively seek ways to improve upon their problems and work their way to better equality.

5. Economic growth

Literate adults are more productive and innovative and are able to organise and implement their own income-generating activities and ideas. They record and take better care of their finances. We have seen the benefit of this in our communities as previously they were unable to see if they were even making a profit or a loss each week. Additionally, they are able to identify problems and research improved methods of production that will generate a higher income.

6. Health and wellbeing

Literate adults in the developing world are more likely to keep themselves and their family healthy. They find it easier to understand and learn how to prevent HIV/AIDS, improve sanitation and train first-aid practitioners.They tend to live longer and have fewer health implications than illiterate adults. 

In conclusion, coming from a country where literacy is a fundamental right, it is often taken for granted how much we rely on this basic but essential skill to navigate through our lives. As an English Literature graduate a large part of who I am has stemmed from the opportunity I’ve had to learn how to read and write. Being able to read not only guides us through simple everyday situations but also allows you to explore different ideas, perspectives and thoughts through literature that not only benefits the individual but society.

Sources: Proliteracy.com; UNESCO; UNICEF; Basic Education Coalition.