The literacy rate in Finland is among the highest in the world, at 100% of its population aged 15 and over being able to read and write. Finland’s population places high importance on literacy, with nearly 50% of Finnish children being able to read before starting school. The country also has a low secondary school drop-out rate and over 93% enrollment rate, which contributes to its high literacy rate. Greenland and Luxembourg are the only other countries in the world with a 100% literacy rate. The West African country of Burkina Faso has the lowest literacy rate in the world, at just approximately 21% of its population being able to read or write.
More about the worldwide literacy rate:
- 12% of the world’s population, approximately 775 million people, are considered illiterate.
- If every country had a 100% literacy rate, it would save the global economy over $1.19 billion US Dollars (USD) every year.
- 19% of US students graduate without being able to read at an adult level, according to findings from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy.

Discuss this Article
Post your comments