Literacy rate

Definition

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people age 15 and above who can both read and write a short simple statement about their everyday life.

Relevance

Much like other food systems drivers, adult literacy rate can be both a consequence and a modifier of the food system. Literacy rate can relate to the availability of the skilled labor force necessary for certain food production, processing, or retail. Conversely, a food system that perpetuates inequality would likely contribute to lower literacy rates.