The persistent failure to build foundational skills for all

This Adult Skills in Focus examines the persistent challenge of low foundational skills among adults in OECD countries. Drawing on the 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, it shows that around one in three adults lack the literacy or numeracy needed to fully participate in modern economies, with little improvement over the past decade. Low skills are linked to poorer employment, earnings and well-being, and tend to reinforce inequalities over time. The brief highlights the need for more proactive, targeted and sustained policy responses, alongside stronger prevention through high-quality initial education and lifelong skill development.