Facts about Literacy in British Columbia

Were you aware that around 40% of adults in British Columbia do not have the literacy skills they need to fully participate and succeed in today's world? Do you know how low literacy affects crime rates, voter rates, economic productivity, and personal health and well-being? Literacy is an issue that touches all aspects of our lives.

Here are a number of fact sheets that explain the many ways in which literacy affects the personal, social and economic well-being of everyone in our province. For additional information, please see our videos on literacy and visit our Resource Library for additional facts and resources.

Literacy in British Columbia (PDF) - an overview of what we learn from literacy surveys with an explanation of what it all means

Family Literacy Works for BC (PDF) - an explanation of what family literacy is all about and why it matters

The impact of literacy on BC's labour market: video and powerpoint

Financial Literacy for Canadians: A presentation to the Task Force on Financial Literacy

Literacy and Poverty (PDF)

Literacy and Health (PDF)

Literacy and Justice (PDF)

Literacy and Seniors (PDF)

Literacy and Clear Language (PDF)

What You Can Do (PDF)

There are many sources for the information in these fact sheets, including in particular Building on our Competencies, Statistics Canada's analysis of the 2003 International Adult Literacy & Skills Survey. To find more information about literacy, please visit our Resource Library, or contact our librarian at library@literacy.bc.ca.