Celebrating International Literacy Day and the importance of reading
Sunday 8th September is International Literacy Day (ILD) – a day that highlights the power of literacy in creating a fair and inclusive society. Since 1967, ILD celebrations have taken place annually as a crucial reminder to policymakers, practitioners and the public, of the critical importance of literacy for creating a world where everyone can live their full potential.
UNESCO has been at the forefront of efforts to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society, viewing literacy skills as a matter of dignity and human rights, enabling people to participate fully in society and contributing to improved livelihoods.
The scope of the problem
Illiteracy is a global issue with at least 773 million adults worldwide lacking basic literacy skills today. The UK is affected too, with 7.1 million adults in England struggling with very poor literacy skills, it’s more important than ever to highlight the issue of illiteracy and the multiple disadvantages those effected, tend to face.
Impacts of illiteracy
The widespread challenge of illiteracy impacts various aspects of life, from education and employment to health and social inclusion.
1. Children from illiterate households are 50% less likely to perform well in school (Education Endowment Foundation)
2. The Education Endowment Foundation found that children who struggle with reading by age 7 are twice as likely to leave school with low qualifications
3. The National Literacy Trust found that individuals with poor literacy skills earn up to 10% less than their literate counterparts (National Literacy Trust – Adult Literacy)
4. The UK Government’s “Life Chances” report found that nearly 40% of adults with low literacy skills feel socially isolated
5. The National Literacy Trust found that 60% of adults with low literacy skills report lower self-esteem and confidence
The importance of literacy
Literacy is more than just reading and writing, it is a gateway to opportunities and a brighter future. At Bookmark we’re committed to addressing these challenges by supporting children to discover the power of reading from an early age. Learn more about what Bookmark are doing to tackle the issue of illiteracy in the UK.
Every member of the Bookmark team is dedicated to making our vision a reality – ensuring that every child has the chance to read and thrive.
Here’s why literacy matters to us:
Literacy is vital to live a happy and healthy life. The ability to articulate how you think, feel and understand every aspect of life is delivered through the written word. It's more important to me now more than ever, as my daughter approaches reading age. Watching her grow and seeing how reading will shape her future is really important to me.
Without the ability to read and write, many doors in my life wouldn’t have opened. Hard work and a supportive network meant that I could succeed in school, university and beyond, ultimately pursuing a career that I enjoy. Literacy has also helped me to explore different areas of the world. The ability to read has helped me to communicate better with others and given me the confidence to travel.
Join us in celebrating International Literacy Day and support our mission. Explore volunteer opportunities, make a donation, or learn more about our work with schools.
