Long abstract

About Statistics Publications & Documents Information by Country

The fundamental goal of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL) is to shed new light on the twin processes of skill gain and loss. This is achieved through measurement of prose and document literacy of adults for a second time in some countries. Further, the study has extended the range of skills measured by adding problem solving, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skill. This allows one to examine the profiles of important foundation skills. Thus the study makes it possible, for the first time, to explore the interrelationships among skill domains as well as their links to major antecedents and outcomes, such as the quantity and quality of initial education and skill’s impact on employability, wages, and health.

This report is meant to assist individuals, educators, employers and other decision makers in four areas: removing skill deficits that act as barriers to innovation, productivity and high rates of economic growth; limiting and reversing social exclusion and income inequality; reducing the unit cost of delivering public health care and education services; improving quality in a broad range of contexts from public services to quality of life.