The report shows that complex social and economic forces influence literacy. The IALS data indicate that individual choice and supportive actions by employers and governments can shape some of these forces.
Literacy now means more than the basic ability to read and write.
Literacy skill levels now also reflect a person's ability to understand and use information, a key function in a world where daily living requires higher communication and information processing skills. Simply stated, literacy is important. Society rewards individuals who are proficient and penalizes those who are not, whether expressed in terms of employment opportunities and job success or active social, cultural and citizenship participation in society. Literacy is also important to nations, as these skills are building blocks. They are also the cornerstones of democracy and of the exchange of knowledge and information.