Literacy 'Round the World

United Nations Human Development Report: 2007-2008

Released Tuesday, the UN Human Development Report lists countries in various categories according to overall rankings in terms of economic, health and social development. Categories include: Adult Literacy, Education Index, GDP, Internet Use.

Iceland leads in most categories, making it the world's most developed nation, according to the UN. Adult Literacy's Top 20:

1 Iceland 99
2 Norway 99
3 Australia 99
4 Canada 99
5 Ireland 99
6 Sweden 99
7 Switzerland 99
8 Japan 99
9 Netherlands 99
10 France 99
11 Finland 99
12 United States 99
13 Spain 99
14 Denmark 99
15 Austria 99
16 United Kingdom 99
17 Belgium 99
18 Luxembourg 99
19 New Zealand 99
20 Italy 98.4

for Tables: READ ON

and from UNESCO

Education for All by 2015: Will we make it ?

This report assesses progress towards the six education for all goals midway to the target date for achieving them -- 2015.

There have been some real gains since 2000:

~ the number of children starting primary school has increased sharply
~ there are more girls in school than ever before
~ spending on education and aid has risen

But poor quality, the cost of schooling for poor families and high levels of adult illiteracy are militating against the chances of achieving education for all.

UNESCO’s Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI), a major strategic meeting to be held in Brazil, 2009.

an important platform for policy dialogue and advocacy on adult learning and non-formal education at global level, involving UNESCO Member States, United Nations agencies, multi-and bi-lateral cooperation agencies, organizations from civil society, the private sector and learners from all world regions.