Literacy rates in Canada for adults aged 16-65 are assessed through the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, PIAAC. This test was first administered in 2012. When findings from the second round of testing are published this fall, we’ll be able to see how Canada’s literacy rates have changed over the past decade and evaluate what our national programming needs are.
Here’s a snapshot of the 2012 results among adults aged 16-65. While Canada is considered a highly literate society, literacy rates are lower than many people might think:
- 16% are reading at level 1 or below, the lowest literacy levels
- 14% are reading at levels 4 and 5, the highest literacy levels
- 22% are at or below level 1 in their ability to understand and work with numbers
- 14% have combined reading and numeracy skills that are at or below level 1
- 48% are considered to have inadequate literacy skills
- 38% are reading at level 3, which is considered the minimum required for coping with everyday life
- 10% report no prior experience with computers and lack very basic computer skills
- 37% achieved the highest levels in problem solving in technology-rich environments
- 58% engaged in formal or informal adult learning over the previous year
There is also an international literacy test for 15-year-olds, called the Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA. It’s administered every 3 years. It measures the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in reading, math, and science. The most recent findings were released in 2023.
Among 15-year-olds in Canada:
- 18% scored below the benchmark for reading literacy
- 22% scored below the benchmark level for knowledge and skills in math
- 15% scored below the benchmark level for knowledge and skills in science
