The pandemic is widely considered a major reason for recent declines in literacy rates, as students lost significant instructional time during lockdowns. And today, more than 50% of American adults (which now includes high school students from 2020) read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade reading level, says Andrew Roberts, president of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

Adult literacy is a critical driver of both personal growth and economic mobility in the US. Many adults struggle with the most fundamental reading and comprehension skills. And, strengthening these abilities is clearly linked with improved job opportunities, increased earning potential and generally more positive outcomes for families and communities.

Adult Literacy Facts

• About 130 million US adults (54% of those aged 16–74) read below a sixth-grade level.
• Approximately 45 million US adults are functionally illiterate, reading below a fifth-grade level and are unable to complete basic reading tasks.
• The average American reads at a 7th to 8^th grade level.
• Adults scoring in the lowest literacy levels (Level 1 or below) increased by 9 percentage points between 2017 and 2023.
• US adults’ average literacy scores declined by 12 points from 2017 to 2023.
• Two-thirds of US adults with low literacy skills are US-born, while 34% are foreign-born.
• Three out of four (75%) state-incarcerated individuals did not complete high school or are classified as low literate.
• Three out of four people on welfare have the lowest two levels of literacy. Nearly 80% of those who live in poverty read at Level 2 or below.
• Children surrounded by adults with low literacy rates are 72% more likely to have a low reading level in school.
• A mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors such as neighborhood and family income.
• 44% of American adults do not read a single book in a year.
• Low adult literacy is estimated to cost the US economy up to $2.2 trillion annually in lost productivity and earnings.
• Between $106 billion and $238 billion in health care costs each year are linked to low adult literacy skills.
• Illiteracy costs American taxpayers an estimated $20 billion each year.
• Minnesota has one of the highest adult literacy rates, with 57% of adults scoring at or above Level 3 proficiency. New Hampshire has the highest state literacy rate at 94.2%.
• The percentage of US adults scoring at or below Level 1 increased from 19% in 2017 to 28% in 2023.

While these statistics are disturbing, there is some good news. Literacy programs designed to help can be found in every state. In fact, the National Center for Literacy and Proliteracy have partnered together to provide the National Literacy Directory, which helps potential students and volunteers in locating nearby educational programs and services

Learn more and find a literacy program near you.

About Success Won’t Wait

Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait, Inc. is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. Want to learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s book access and literacy projects, how to donate books or volunteer your time? Simply visit About Success Won’t Wait.

Read now, because success won’t wait!