Pathways to labor market success: the literacy proficiency of US adults

This report explores the connections between the literacy skills of US adults and their success in the labour market. It draws on data collected from the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) and the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS). The authors describe the US population’s prose, document, and quantitative proficiencies and comment on the relationship of these adults’ skills to their socioeconomic characteristics, labour force activity and experience, weekly wages and annual earnings, and their recent education and training activities. They also compare the literacy of the US labour force with the literacy of workers in other countries. The analyses reveal significant differences in the literacy skills of workers in various occupations and demographic groups. Important differences in earnings and other labour market outcomes and behaviours are attributed to these literacy gaps. The analyses reveal that workers with higher levels of literacy are more likely to participate in education and training. Many workers with limited literacy skills are not aware of their weakness, lessening the chances that they will address the problem. Suggestions are proposed for strengthening US workers' literacy skills and it is emphasises that this is necessary for achieving equality among groups and for future economic growth. Show less