Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship. Literacy is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviours to foster a culture of lasting peace based on respect for equality and non-discrimination, the rule of law, solidarity, justice, diversity, and tolerance and to build harmonious relations with oneself, other people and the planet. Despite progress, at least 739 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills in 2024. At the same time, 4 in 10 children are not reaching minimum proficiency in reading, and 272 million children and adolescents were out of school in 2023.
This year, International Literacy Day (ILD) marks its 60th anniversary. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1966 during the 14th session of the General Conference. Celebrated under the theme “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” ILD 2026 provides an opportunity to take stock of progress, deepen understanding of persistent and emerging challenges, and shape future literacy agendas in a rapidly changing world.
The global celebration will be convened by UNESCO on 8-9 September 2026 in Mexico, in collaboration with the Government of Mexico.
“As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day, we reaffirm literacy as a fundamental human right and a powerful force for transforming lives, economies and societies.”
In Scotland, around 26.7% of adults face challenges due to limited literacy skills, which can affect their confidence, employability, and ability to navigate daily life – literacytrust.org.uk. The Scottish Survey of Adult Literacy and Numeracy (SSAL) 2009, the largest survey of its kind in Scotland, found that 3.6% of adults face serious challenges in literacy practices, with poverty being a significant factor influencing lower literacy capabilities. Adults living in the most deprived areas are more likely to have lower literacy skills, highlighting the link between social inequality and literacy outcomes. There is no up to date data on statistics in Scotland.
