Building skills for all: a review of Finland: policy insights on literacy, numeracy and digital skills from the Survey of Adult Skills

In Finland, the numeracy and literacy skills of adults are among the highest in the countries measured through the OECD's 2012 Survey of Adult Skills. The survey assessed the skills of adults in literacy, numeracy and problem solving in technology-rich environments in 24 countries and sub-national regions in the first round of the survey. But around 600,000 adults between the age of 16 and 65 still have low foundation skills (literacy or numeracy below level 2 in the survey). These are people who struggle with basic quantitative reasoning or have difficulty with simple written information, and for them, entering and progressing in working life, and engaging in civic life, is becoming harder and harder. About half of them are over 55, many of them with more limited initial education; the other half are those younger people who have slipped through the net of an otherwise strong education system. This report looks at these issues and makes recommendations on how Finland might build on its strong performance, and ensure better levels of foundation skills for all.

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