National Adult Literacy Database

This article summarizes the key findings about problem-solving contained in a report based on the results of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL), conducted between 2002 and 2008.

Eleven countries, including Canada, participated in that survey, which focused on four foundation skills thought to be essential for social, professional and economic success: prose literacy, document literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving.

Based on their analysis of the data, the authors conclude that in Canada, both employment and earnings tend to be higher for individuals with stronger problem-solving skills.

Countries with higher proportions of high-scoring problem solvers, as well as high average problem-solving skills, are likely to be better equipped in a global context to deal with rapid changes in work environments and to use technology effectively to enhance efficiency and productivity.