Adult literacy
Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above)
Link with national income+0.73strongly income-linked
Links that hold up17of 137 pairs tested
Unit% of adultshigher is better
SourceWDICC BY 4.0
What this measures. Reported only in census or survey years for most countries, so the data are sparse and uneven rather than yearly.
How it has moved
Loading…
Every country, every year
One row per country and one column per year, sorted by the most recent value. Hover over any cell to see the figure. The country names link to each country’s page.
Loading…
Links that hold up
r is how closely two measures rise and fall together across countries, from −1 (opposite) to +1 (in step), where 0 means no link. These pairs are ranked by the link after adjusting for national income, which means comparing countries with the same GDP per person. Each pair passed three checks. The link held after that adjustment. It was unlikely to be chance (q of 0.05 or less), even allowing for countries in the same region being alike and for the many pairs tested. And the two are not just two measures of the same thing. Very small q values are written in short form: 8.0e-5 means 0.000080.
| Measure | Before adjusting | After adjusting | q | Countries | Tracks income? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult literacy and Mean years of schoolingWhere Adult literacy is higher, Mean years of schooling tends to be higher: a strong link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Mean years of schooling by country | +0.87 | +0.72 | 0.028 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and HDIWhere Adult literacy is higher, HDI tends to be higher: a strong link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. HDI by country | +0.84 | +0.71 | 0.039 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Inequality-adjusted HDIWhere Adult literacy is higher, Inequality-adjusted HDI tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Inequality-adjusted HDI by country | +0.83 | +0.63 | 0.017 | 120 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Under-5 mortalityWhere Adult literacy is higher, Under-5 mortality tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Under-5 mortality by country | -0.81 | -0.57 | 0.008 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Anaemia in womenWhere Adult literacy is higher, Anaemia in women tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Anaemia in women by country | -0.71 | -0.53 | 0.012 | 130 | high |
| Adult literacy and Married by 18Where Adult literacy is higher, Married by 18 tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Married by 18 by country | -0.70 | -0.50 | 0.027 | 110 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Infant mortalityWhere Adult literacy is higher, Infant mortality tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Infant mortality by country | -0.78 | -0.50 | 0.035 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Maternal mortalityWhere Adult literacy is higher, Maternal mortality tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Maternal mortality by country | -0.74 | -0.49 | 0.003 | 132 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Birth rateWhere Adult literacy is higher, Birth rate tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Birth rate by country | -0.78 | -0.47 | 0.049 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Women in managementWhere Adult literacy is higher, Women in management tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Women in management by country | +0.51 | +0.46 | 0.024 | 108 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Skilled birth attendanceWhere Adult literacy is higher, Skilled birth attendance tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Skilled birth attendance by country | +0.73 | +0.46 | 0.003 | 127 | high |
| Adult literacy and Slum share of urban populationWhere Adult literacy is higher, Slum share of urban population tends to be lower: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Slum share of urban population by country | -0.73 | -0.43 | 0.021 | 132 | high |
| Adult literacy and Electricity accessWhere Adult literacy is higher, Electricity access tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Electricity access by country | +0.74 | +0.43 | 0.048 | 135 | high |
| Adult literacy and Basic sanitationWhere Adult literacy is higher, Basic sanitation tends to be higher: a moderate link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Basic sanitation by country | +0.75 | +0.43 | 0.006 | 134 | high |
| Adult literacy and Vulnerable employmentWhere Adult literacy is higher, Vulnerable employment tends to be lower: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Vulnerable employment by country | -0.76 | -0.40 | 0.037 | 126 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Out of school, primaryWhere Adult literacy is higher, Out of school, primary tends to be lower: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Out of school, primary by country | -0.55 | -0.37 | 0.043 | 129 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Adolescent fertilityWhere Adult literacy is higher, Adolescent fertility tends to be lower: a weak link that holds when only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Adolescent fertility by country | -0.71 | -0.36 | 0.042 | 135 | proxy |
Links that don’t count as findings
These go together strongly, but they are built from the same numbers or measure the same thing. So they are bound to match, or their match shows that the measures agree, not something about the world.
| Measure | Before adjusting | After adjusting | q | Countries | Tracks income? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult literacy and Education scoreNot an independent finding: one of these indices is built partly from the other, so their agreement is just arithmetic. Education score by country | +0.82 | +0.61 | 0.013 | 133 | proxy |
How much the other measures account for
The 71 most widely reported measures boil down to a few broad patterns. This table shows how much of the differences between countries on this measure those patterns account for, adding one pattern at a time. The patterns are rebuilt without this measure, and without anything built from the same numbers or measuring the same thing. So it never predicts itself under another name. The figures use the 99 countries reporting all of them, and 71 candidate measures.
This shows how much it moves with the others. It does not explain anything. Measures that move together end up on the same pattern whether or not anything connects them. And the countries here are the best-documented ones. A high figure means this measure is largely predictable from the others, not that they produce it.
| Patterns used | Share of this measure accounted for | Added by this pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68% | — |
| 2 | 71% | +3% |
| 3 | 73% | +3% |
| 4 | 76% | +3% |
| 5 | 78% | +2% |
| 6 | 79% | +1% |
How it differs by category
This compares the measure across groups of countries, such as those sharing a main religion, instead of against another number. The figure is the share of the differences between countries on this measure that lies between the groups, on a scale from 0 to 1. It is shown before and after adjusting for national income.
The “between groups” figure runs from 0 (the groups are no different) to 1 (the groups explain all the differences between countries). Groups have no up or down, so this says how much the groups differ, never which way. For that, read the group averages. The figure also tends to rise when there are more groups. So to judge whether it could be chance (q), we shuffle the same labels among the same countries many times and see how often a figure this big turns up. Then we allow for the fact that many measures are checked at once, since with enough checks a few big figures turn up by luck alone. Groups with fewer than 12 countries are left out. And countries that share a label share a lot else. Adjusting for income rules out one third factor, but leaves language, region, legal tradition and history untouched.
| Grouped by | Between groups | After income | q | Groups at each end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last European coloniser | 0.54 | 0.33 | 0.033 | best: Spain 92.3% · worst: France 63.9% % of adults |
| Largest religious group | 0.28 | 0.39 | 0.003 | best: Christians 87.6% · worst: Muslims 76.7% % of adults |
Every other pair
Everything else this measure was tested against, apart from the links that hold up and the pairs built from the same numbers. Sorted by the link after adjusting. Search by name; every column sorts. A small adjusted figure is a result too. It says the two do not move together once income is set aside.
119 of 119
| Adult literacy and Gender Development IndexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.58) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Gender Development Index by country | +0.76 | +0.58 | 0.167 | 129 | high |
| Adult literacy and Primary completionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.53) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Primary completion by country | +0.79 | +0.53 | 0.091 | 117 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Health coverage indexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.50) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Health coverage index by country | +0.79 | +0.50 | 0.057 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Fertility rateLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.46) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Fertility rate by country | -0.77 | -0.46 | 0.057 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Pupil-teacher ratioLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.41) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Pupil-teacher ratio by country | -0.73 | -0.41 | 0.069 | 126 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Secondary enrollmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.41) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Secondary enrollment by country | +0.71 | +0.41 | 0.052 | 131 | high |
| Adult literacy and Tobacco useCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Tobacco use by country | +0.43 | +0.40 | 0.123 | 121 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Adult obesityComparing only countries with similar income it is still +0.38, but that could easily be chance once we allow for countries in the same region being alike. Adult obesity by country | +0.52 | +0.38 | 0.300 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Expected schoolingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.38) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Expected schooling by country | +0.71 | +0.38 | 0.224 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Christian shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Christian share by country | +0.22 | +0.36 | 0.231 | 129 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Population growthLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.35) could easily be chance. Population growth by country | -0.52 | -0.35 | 0.253 | 135 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Muslim shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Muslim share by country | -0.31 | -0.34 | 0.386 | 129 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Infrastructure scoreLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.32) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Infrastructure score by country | +0.74 | +0.32 | 0.081 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Basic water accessLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.32) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Basic water access by country | +0.69 | +0.32 | 0.091 | 134 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Health spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Health spending by country | +0.21 | +0.32 | 0.086 | 131 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Gender Inequality IndexLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.31) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Gender Inequality Index by country | -0.73 | -0.31 | 0.131 | 121 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Population 0-14Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.31) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Population 0-14 by country | -0.73 | -0.31 | 0.147 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Informal employmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.30) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Informal employment by country | -0.71 | -0.30 | 0.300 | 104 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Government expenseCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Government expense by country | +0.34 | +0.28 | 0.139 | 103 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Education spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Education spending by country | +0.20 | +0.28 | 0.071 | 131 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Hospital bedsLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.28) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Hospital beds by country | +0.54 | +0.28 | 0.224 | 120 | high |
| Adult literacy and Life expectancyLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.28) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Life expectancy by country | +0.70 | +0.28 | 0.172 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and GDP growthCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. GDP growth by country | -0.25 | -0.27 | 0.164 | 135 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Employment in agricultureLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.27) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Employment in agriculture by country | -0.70 | -0.27 | 0.183 | 126 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Women in a unionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women in a union by country | -0.43 | -0.27 | 0.441 | 133 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Government consumptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Government consumption by country | +0.18 | +0.26 | 0.206 | 127 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Out-of-pocket health spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Out-of-pocket health spending by country | -0.35 | -0.26 | 0.260 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Internet usersLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.26) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Internet users by country | +0.71 | +0.26 | 0.077 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Child stuntingLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.25) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Child stunting by country | -0.64 | -0.25 | 0.400 | 123 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Political stabilityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.23) could easily be chance. Political stability by country | +0.53 | +0.23 | 0.314 | 135 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Religious attendanceLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.23) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Religious attendance by country | -0.54 | -0.23 | 0.140 | 66 | high |
| Adult literacy and Political rights (FH)Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Political rights (FH) by country | -0.36 | -0.23 | 0.366 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Religion very importantCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Religion very important by country | -0.47 | -0.23 | 0.175 | 68 | high |
| Adult literacy and Median ageLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.22) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Median age by country | +0.68 | +0.22 | 0.197 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Age at childbearingAlmost no link either way. Age at childbearing by country | +0.05 | -0.22 | 0.154 | 135 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and HIV prevalenceAlmost no link either way. HIV prevalence by country | -0.01 | +0.22 | 0.478 | 108 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Single-parent householdsAlmost no link either way. Single-parent households by country | +0.09 | +0.22 | 0.445 | 109 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Food insecurityLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.21) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Food insecurity by country | -0.68 | -0.21 | 0.607 | 106 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Birth registrationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.21) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Birth registration by country | +0.58 | +0.21 | 0.240 | 120 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Tax revenueCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Tax revenue by country | +0.26 | +0.21 | 0.058 | 103 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and UnemploymentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Unemployment by country | +0.12 | +0.21 | 0.323 | 126 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Health scoreAlmost no link either way. Health score by country | -0.06 | -0.21 | 0.450 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Tertiary enrollmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.20) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Tertiary enrollment by country | +0.62 | +0.20 | 0.117 | 124 | high |
| Adult literacy and PhysiciansLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.20) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Physicians by country | +0.62 | +0.20 | 0.287 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Corruption Perceptions IndexCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Corruption Perceptions Index by country | +0.35 | -0.20 | 0.064 | 122 | high |
| Adult literacy and Mobile subscriptionsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Mobile subscriptions by country | +0.38 | -0.19 | 0.147 | 135 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Civil liberties (FH)Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Civil liberties (FH) by country | -0.33 | -0.19 | 0.468 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Voice and accountabilityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Voice and accountability by country | +0.40 | +0.19 | 0.458 | 135 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Frequent prayerCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Frequent prayer by country | -0.48 | -0.18 | 0.169 | 53 | high |
| Adult literacy and Confidence in religious institutionsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Confidence in religious institutions by country | -0.31 | -0.18 | 0.543 | 68 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Premature NCD mortalityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Premature NCD mortality by country | -0.33 | +0.18 | 0.637 | 127 | high |
| Adult literacy and PISA readingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA reading by country | +0.43 | +0.18 | 0.402 | 51 | high |
| Adult literacy and Pre-trial detainee shareCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Pre-trial detainee share by country | -0.39 | -0.17 | 0.466 | 117 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Tuberculosis incidenceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Tuberculosis incidence by country | -0.22 | +0.17 | 0.553 | 135 | high |
| Adult literacy and Divorce rate (UN)Could easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Divorce rate (UN) by country | +0.17 | +0.17 | 0.393 | 48 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Extreme poverty rateLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (-0.16) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Extreme poverty rate by country | -0.62 | -0.16 | 0.741 | 116 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Migrant share of populationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Migrant share of population by country | +0.31 | -0.16 | 0.125 | 135 | high |
| Adult literacy and Conflict deathsAlmost no link either way. Conflict deaths by country | +0.02 | +0.16 | 0.092 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and One-person householdsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. One-person households by country | +0.49 | +0.15 | 0.428 | 109 | high |
| Adult literacy and Suicide rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Suicide rate by country | +0.16 | +0.15 | 0.550 | 127 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Environment scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Environment score by country | -0.42 | -0.15 | 0.300 | 133 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Regime typeCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Regime type by country | +0.32 | +0.14 | 0.396 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Road traffic deathsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Road traffic deaths by country | -0.50 | -0.14 | 0.474 | 129 | high |
| Adult literacy and Free and fair electionsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Free and fair elections by country | +0.41 | +0.14 | 0.489 | 120 | high |
| Adult literacy and InflationAlmost no link either way. Inflation by country | +0.08 | +0.14 | 0.503 | 131 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Wellbeing scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Wellbeing score by country | +0.38 | -0.14 | 0.624 | 68 | high |
| Adult literacy and FDI inflowsAlmost no link either way. FDI inflows by country | +0.06 | -0.13 | 0.310 | 134 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Population 65+Linked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.13) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Population 65+ by country | +0.53 | +0.13 | 0.183 | 135 | high |
| Adult literacy and Rule of lawLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.13) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Rule of law by country | +0.51 | +0.13 | 0.640 | 135 | high |
| Adult literacy and PISA mathsCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA maths by country | +0.40 | +0.13 | 0.333 | 51 | high |
| Adult literacy and Male labor participationAlmost no link either way. Male labor participation by country | -0.03 | -0.13 | 0.468 | 126 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Political corruptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Political corruption by country | -0.32 | +0.12 | 0.159 | 120 | high |
| Adult literacy and Interpersonal trustCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Interpersonal trust by country | +0.19 | -0.12 | 0.529 | 68 | high |
| Adult literacy and Electoral democracyCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Electoral democracy by country | +0.28 | +0.12 | 0.439 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Life satisfactionLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.12) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Life satisfaction by country | +0.63 | +0.12 | 0.698 | 116 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and ResearchersCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Researchers by country | +0.37 | -0.12 | 0.527 | 95 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Primary enrollmentAlmost no link either way. Primary enrollment by country | +0.01 | +0.12 | 0.550 | 134 | independent |
| Adult literacy and PISA scienceCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. PISA science by country | +0.39 | +0.11 | 0.454 | 51 | high |
| Adult literacy and Armed conflict presentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Armed conflict present by country | -0.30 | -0.11 | 0.353 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Self-reported happinessAlmost no link either way. Self-reported happiness by country | +0.09 | -0.11 | 0.539 | 68 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Participatory democracyCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Participatory democracy by country | +0.27 | +0.11 | 0.532 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Agricultural landCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Agricultural land by country | -0.19 | +0.11 | 0.412 | 134 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Fixed broadbandLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, what remains (+0.10) could easily be chance. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Fixed broadband by country | +0.60 | +0.10 | 0.424 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Gini indexAlmost no link either way. Gini index by country | -0.01 | +0.10 | 0.737 | 116 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Compulsory schoolingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Compulsory schooling by country | +0.33 | +0.10 | 0.777 | 128 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Liberal democracyCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Liberal democracy by country | +0.31 | +0.10 | 0.569 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Alcohol consumptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Alcohol consumption by country | +0.28 | +0.10 | 0.469 | 127 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and UrbanizationLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Urbanization by country | +0.50 | +0.09 | 0.657 | 135 | high |
| Adult literacy and Protected landAlmost no link either way. Protected land by country | +0.01 | -0.09 | 0.523 | 133 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Freedom of associationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Freedom of association by country | +0.13 | +0.08 | 0.528 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Women's political empowermentCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Women's political empowerment by country | +0.24 | +0.08 | 0.411 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Governance scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Governance score by country | +0.28 | +0.08 | 0.561 | 121 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Religiously unaffiliatedCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Religiously unaffiliated by country | +0.25 | +0.08 | 0.606 | 129 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Regulatory qualityCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Regulatory quality by country | +0.49 | -0.07 | 0.424 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Corporate tax rateCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Corporate tax rate by country | -0.39 | +0.06 | 0.766 | 47 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Military spendingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Military spending by country | +0.15 | -0.06 | 0.713 | 113 | independent |
| Adult literacy and DTP3 immunisationCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. DTP3 immunisation by country | +0.36 | +0.05 | 0.721 | 131 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Government effectivenessLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Government effectiveness by country | +0.54 | -0.05 | 0.640 | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Forest areaAlmost no link either way. Forest area by country | +0.10 | +0.05 | 0.659 | 134 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Youth not in work or studyCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Youth not in work or study by country | -0.33 | -0.05 | 0.792 | 125 | high |
| Adult literacy and Labour scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Labour score by country | +0.47 | -0.04 | 0.541 | 132 | high |
| Adult literacy and Women in parliamentAlmost no link either way. Women in parliament by country | +0.05 | -0.04 | 0.869 | 130 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Homicide rateAlmost no link either way. Homicide rate by country | -0.05 | +0.04 | 0.777 | 116 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Trade opennessCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Trade openness by country | +0.32 | -0.04 | 0.701 | 127 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Gender scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Gender score by country | +0.12 | +0.04 | 0.877 | 129 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Political civil libertiesAlmost no link either way. Political civil liberties by country | +0.08 | +0.03 | 0.852 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Equality scoreCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Equality score by country | +0.45 | +0.03 | 0.959 | 116 | high |
| Adult literacy and Women ministersAlmost no link either way. Women ministers by country | +0.02 | +0.02 | 0.929 | 130 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Female labor participationAlmost no link either way. Female labor participation by country | -0.07 | -0.02 | 0.864 | 126 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Control of corruptionCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Control of corruption by country | +0.44 | -0.01 | 0.950 | 135 | high |
| Adult literacy and Refugees originatingCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Refugees originating by country | -0.20 | -0.01 | 0.910 | 133 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and Marriage rate (UN)Almost no link either way. Marriage rate (UN) by country | -0.02 | +0.01 | 0.971 | 54 | independent |
| Adult literacy and Civil society participationAlmost no link either way. Civil society participation by country | -0.04 | -0.01 | 0.968 | 120 | independent |
| Adult literacy and UndernourishmentLinked across countries, but mostly as richer countries differ from poorer ones: comparing only countries with similar income, almost nothing remains. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. Undernourishment by country | -0.55 | -0.01 | 0.989 | 116 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and Freedom of expressionAlmost no link either way. Freedom of expression by country | +0.02 | +0.01 | 0.978 | 120 | moderate |
| Adult literacy and CO2 per capitaCould easily be chance once only countries with similar income are compared. Both mostly measure national income in another way, so only the adjusted figure is worth reading. CO2 per capita by country | +0.30 | +0.00 | 0.987 | 131 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and GDP per capita (PPP)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GDP per capita (PPP) by country | +0.48 | — | — | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and GNI per capita (PPP)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GNI per capita (PPP) by country | +0.49 | — | — | 135 | proxy |
| Adult literacy and GDP per capita (market)One side of this pair is national income itself, the thing the other figures adjust for. Adjusting income for income leaves nothing, so there is no adjusted figure. The unadjusted link shows how closely the other measure follows income. GDP per capita (market) by country | +0.42 | — | — | 135 | proxy |
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
CC BY 4.0 · licence terms · updated quarterly
World Bank, World Development Indicators