World Literacy Day: Reading and writing as a key to participation!

World Literacy Day: Reading and writing as a key to participation!

The upcoming celebrations World Literacy Day on September 8th, 2025 their shadows will be cast ahead. This day reminds us that reading and writing is a privilege that unfortunately many people do not have access to. In Austria, around 1.7 million people between the ages of 16 and 65 struggle with reading for meaning - that's an impressive 29 percent of adults. This number has increased from 17 percent in 2011/12 to a worrying 29 percent in 2022/23. Particularly worrying: almost half of 55 to 65 year olds are low literate.

The new findings come from the second PIAAC investigation, published in December 2024. The increase in poor reading and writing skills is alarming, especially among adults who have only completed compulsory schooling - a quarter of them report difficulties. And around 28 percent of people with a maximum of an apprenticeship or BMS qualification are also affected. This shows that there is something wrong.

The growing importance of basic education and literacy is not only recognized in Austria. On the occasion of World Literacy Day, an information stand will be set up in Vienna on September 8th at Franz-Jonas-Platz from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Here, interested parties can find out about free courses that offer opportunities to improve reading, writing, arithmetic and digital skills. This initiative is supported by the state-federal initiative Level Up - Adult Education and the ALFATELEFON (0800 244 800), which offers information and support.

Global literacy challenges

A look across the borders shows that not only Austria is affected by these challenges. According to the 2018 LEO study and PIAAC data, Germany is experiencing similar trends. 20 percent of adults there struggle with low literacy, which corresponds to around 10.6 million people. Developments since 2012 also show stagnating reading rates here, due to various crises, such as the pandemic situation. A particularly worrying trend is the discrepancy between those with higher and lower levels of literacy. In Germany, only 17 percent of those with low literacy feel that their political voice is heard by the government, while the figure is 33 percent of those with better literacy.

The results of the *LEO PIAAC 2023* analysis, which will be presented on September 8th together with the Hamburg Adult Education Center, reveal important findings that are particularly relevant for literacy and basic education in the decade ending in 2026. In this country, there is also a stagnating share of employment among adults with low literacy levels. Only around 60 percent are employed, while in Switzerland this figure is 74 percent.

Importance of basic education

Another central point is social and democratic participation. The [4th UNESCO World Report on Adult Education highlights that education is a key component of lifelong learning. It is emphasized that basic education and literacy must be understood as a human right. Access to education significantly influences participation in democratic processes and the political self-efficacy of citizens.

In summary, the challenges are great, but the will to change and promote basic education is also strong. It is crucial that we actively address and support these issues - especially on World Literacy Day. Because education is the key to opening doors and enabling participation. If we tackle things together, there will be no room for ignorance.