Factors Affecting Literacy Rates for Different Countries Case Study 2022

Running head: LITERACY RATES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES 1
FACTORS AFFECTING LITERACY RATES FOR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
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Abstract

LITERACY RATES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES 2
Literacy rates have been accredited by many as the sure source of a country’s
development. Furthermore high level of education has been associated with better standards of
living through reduction of poverty, high incomes by the learned, promotion of equality, health-
related benefits, reduction in crime, economic growth, environmental benefits, and reducing
gender-based violence among others. World Governments have set up schools so that both young
and adults can acquire knowledge essential for making their nations great. Likewise, parents and
people responsible for young ones have tried in all ends to ensure their children acquire this
magic of transformation. In different countries, literacy levels vary based on how favorable
literacy-affecting factors are managed. Schools fluctuate in numbers for countries. Likewise,
class and curriculum structure, methods of teaching, environment for learning, parental habits,
gender valuation, age, and government involvement among other factors influence levels at
which countries have their rates of literacy.
Several research works have been conducted to establish factors affecting literacy rates.
This study sought to establish whether age and gender affected the rates of literacy for world
countries. Descriptive statistics were conducted to give the general mean for world literacy in
gender and age. Results showed that there was a mean difference in literacy rates for age groups
as well as gender. Inferential statistics tests were conducted to confirm the relationship between
gender and age on levels of literacy. From the results, both age and gender have a significant
influence on countries’ rates of literacy.
Introduction

LITERACY RATES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES 3
Literacy rates refer to the aggregate sum of educated persons in a specific age group,
conveyed as a percentage of the entire population for that specific cohort. Literacy rates among
the adult measure the total number of learned persons for people aged 15 years and above while
youth literacy rate measures literacy for people of 15-24. It is calculated by dividing the literate
number of a given cohort by the total population for that respective age group (UNESCO
INSTITUTE FOR STATISTICS, 2019). The current average literacy value for the world is
86.3%; 90% for males and 82.7% for females translating to a 7.3% gender difference.
Nonetheless, this varies per country depending on conditions. For a long period, world countries
have struggled to fill the gender gap in education. However, west and central African countries,
and southern Asian countries still have a large gap to fill. For instance, countries like India have
a wide gap as literate men are 80% while women are 65.46% strongly showing that gender
remains a factor that influences literacy rates (VITAL VOICES, 2019).
There is a difference in literacy rates for young and old adults; young people are proved to
have high rates of literacy than the aging persons. This, however, vary from country to country.
With the aging adults nearing retirement, countries invest much knowledge in the young to
replace them this is essential for the forward and positive growth of a country.
Statement of the problem
The study sought to find the relationship between the literacy rate and two demographic
factors (age and gender). This will be important in sorting the problem of low literacy levels in
different countries that have threatened some countries' development.
Research Questions

LITERACY RATES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES 4
1. Is there a significant relationship between literacy rate and age?
2. Does literacy rate for different countries vary by gender?
Research Hypothesis
1. Null hypothesis (H0): There is no significant relationship between age and literacy rate in
different countries
The alternative hypothesis (HA): There is a significant relationship between age and
literacy rate in different countries
2. Null hypothesis (H0): There is no significant difference in the literacy rate for the male
and female in various countries.
The alternative hypothesis (HA): There is a significant difference in the literacy rate for
males and females.
Literature Review
The rate of literacy for both the youths (15-24) and adults are the determinants for a
system of education. There has been observed a positive trend in this number due to the
expanded opportunities of education with youth’s literacy level increasing to 91% over the past
two decades (UNICEF, 2019). Countries vary according to rates of literacy. According to 2019
statistics North Korea was number one in the list for countries with the highest rates of literacy at
100%. It was followed closely by Latvia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Poland, Lithuania, Kazakhstan,
Azerbaijan and Georgian countries (Tigernix, 2019). In general rates of literacy are high in
developed countries with sufficient facilities and resources to support. However, in various
places of Central and West Africa, the literacy rates among the youths still lie below 50%
suggesting that there is low enrolment along with low rates of retention.