National Adult Literacy Database

Literacy is important - to individuals, in order for them to cope with the demands of everyday life in the workplace, home and community - as well as for the country as a whole.

Sixteen per cent of Canadian adults can only read well enough to find a familiar word in a simple text. In total, 38 per cent are not able to deal consistently with everyday reading demands. And nearly one out of three of our youth fail to complete high school.

Many people are now aware of the importance of literacy, and many initiatives are under way. But much more remains to be done if we are going to become a more literate society. And there is much that individuals can do to help work towards this goal.