In 2011, in mainland France, 2.5 million people aged between 18 and 65 who had been schooled in France, representing 7% of the population, were in a situation of illiteracy.
Beyond this core group, 22% of adults aged 16 to 65 have a low level of proficiency in writing skills and 28% in numeracy, according to the PIAAC survey by the OECD, published in 2013. In general, the average level of French adults in reading and math is among the lowest in OECD countries. The proportion of adults with a low level of reading proficiency in France is four times higher than in Japan and twice as high as in Finland.
This harsh finding is concerning. As an issue of equality and social cohesion, mastering basic skills is also a national economic issue. In addition to increasing access to the labor market, mastering these skills also promotes health and civic engagement. And in the digital age, it is a crucial lever for economic development.
In continuation of the report “Quelle France dans 10 ans?” published in 2014 by France Stratégie, this Analysis Note sets an ambitious objective to reduce the proportion of adults in a situation of illiteracy: to halve this proportion in ten years.
This involves affirming a right for each individual to a minimum foundation of basic skills, as well as a set of prevention and support actions.
To achieve this objective, it is estimated that approximately 50 million euros additional per year would be needed to combat illiteracy.
