Iceland's literacy rate in 2018 was 99.00 percent, a rise of 0% from 2015. It was the second highest rate in Europe after Switzerland with a reading proficiency rate of 100 percent. Iceland has one of the most effective literacy promotion programs in the world. Since 2003, all children are taught to read and write using an innovative program called "Lets Read!" It starts when children enter school at age 6 or 7 and they spend several hours a week learning through storytelling, games, and other activities. They also have access to hundreds of books at no cost to them. When they reach grade 1, they begin learning the Icelandic alphabet. By grade 5, they are reading simple texts and by grade 8 they are reading more complex material. In addition to teaching children, Lets Read! has expanded to include adults. Participants work on their literacy skills through classroom sessions and individual coaching from trained teachers. The program has reached over 10,000 people since it started in 2003. Iceland has made significant efforts to improve its reading proficiency rate. In 2003, it was only 76 percent. However, between 2003 and 2015, its literacy rate increased by 26 points, from 76 to 102 percent.