Search What we do Resources News and information Support us About us Donate Join us | Login Home > Information > What is literacy? What is literacy? Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world. The importance of literacy Lacking vital literacy skills holds a person back at every stage of their life. As a child they won't be able to succeed at school, as a young adult they will be locked out of the job market, and as a parent they won't be able to support their own child's learning. This intergenerational cycle makes social mobility and a fairer society more difficult. People with low literacy skills may not be able to read a book or newspaper, understand road signs or price labels, make sense of a bus or train timetable, fill out a form, read instructions on medicines or use the internet. Low levels of literacy undermine the UK’s economic competitiveness, costing the taxpayer £2.5 billion every year (KPMG, 2009). A third of businesses are not satisfied with young people’s literacy skills when they enter the workforce and a similar number have organised remedial training for young recruits to improve their basic skills, including literacy and communication. COVID-19 Research and Policy Observatory Our research and policy observatory includes up-to-date research, policy and analysis on the impact of COVID-19 on children and young people’s learning, literacy and wellbeing. Find out more. Literacy statistics Our research underpins our programmes, campaigns and policy work to improve literacy skills, attitudes and habits across the UK. Children who enjoy reading and writing are happier with their lives Children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have good mental wellbeing than children who don’t enjoy it. Read more. 1 in 11 disadvantaged children in the UK say that they don’t have a book of their own Children who say they have a book of their own are six times more likely to read above the level expected for their age than their peers who don’t own a book (22% vs. 3.6%). Read more. Children born into communities with the most serious literacy challenges have some of the lowest life expectancies in England A boy born in Stockton Town Centre (an area with serious literacy challenges) has a life expectancy 26.1 years shorter than a boy born in North Oxford. Read more. 1 in 2 children in the UK enjoy reading Only 1 in 2 (47.8%) children and young people said they enjoy reading in early 2020, the lowest level of reading enjoyment we have recorded since 2005. Read more. 1 in 3 children in the UK enjoy writing In 2021, just over one-third (34.5%) of children and young people said that they enjoy writing. This is the lowest level of writing enjoyment we have recorded since 2010. Read more. Audiobooks can support wider literacy engagement 1 in 5 (21.7%) children and young people said that listening to an audiobook or podcast has got them interested in reading books. Read more. See more of our research reports. Adult literacy rate 16.4% of adults in England, or 7.1 million people, can be described as having 'very poor literacy skills.' Adults with poor literacy skills will be locked out of the job market and, as a parent, they won’t be able to support their child’s learning. Find out more. More information How does England's literacy compare with other countries? How does literacy in England stack up against other European countries? Learn more Education in England, Wales, Northern Ireland & Scotland How does the national curriculum work in England, Wales, Northern Ireland & Scotland? Learn more Literacy and digital technology What opportunities and challenges does digital technology present to children's literacy? Learn more Adult literacy Information on adult literacy in the UK and our Books Unlocked programme. View details What is phonics? Phonics is a way of teaching children how to read and write. It helps children hear, identify and use different sounds that distinguish one word from another in the English language. View details Latest news 24 Nov 2021 Burberry and Marcus Rashford MBE pledge support for our work on school libraries 24 Nov 2021 Matt Haig hosts an exclusive school event for the film adaptation of A Boy Called Christmas 16 Nov 2021 We announce our Christmas fundraising appeal to give the gift of reading this season Latest from the blog 15 Nov 2021 Library Lifeline part 2: Successfully managing book stock in your library 03 Nov 2021 Supporting staff wellbeing 02 Nov 2021 Game Changers impact – research highlights 05 Oct 2021 School librarian perspectives on the National Reading Champions Quiz 05 Oct 2021 Library Lifeline part 1: Recommending books when you're short on time Looking for a storyteller or author? Search our UK-wide storytellers and authors list Find a storyteller Contact us 020 7587 1842 contact@literacytrust.org.uk Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube © National Literacy Trust 2017 Made byHactar Sign up to our newsletter Accessibility help Terms and conditions Privacy policy How we use cookies The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.