Adult literacy rates in South Africa: a comparison of different measures

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Periodical article

Title:	Adult literacy rates in South Africa: a comparison of different measures
Author:	Posel, Dorrit
Year:	2011
Periodical:	Language Matters: Studies in the Languages of Africa (ISSN 1022-8195)
Volume:	42
Issue:	1
Pages:	39-49
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	literacy gender inequality research
Abstract:	This study estimates and compares different measures of adult literacy rates in South Africa, using information collected in recent nationally representative household surveys. In particular, the study considers adult literacy rates derived from three sets of information: the highest level of educational attainment; whether or not individuals report being able to read and to write in a language; and how individuals rank their ability to read and to write in their home language. The study highlights the considerable variation in adult literacy rates, depending on which information is used. It also investigates gender differences in adult literacy rates. Across all the measures, adult literacy rates are lower amongst women than amongst men. However, these gender differences are not present amongst young adults aged 15-30 years. The study considers the implications of these findings for collecting information on literacy ability in household surveys. Bibliogr., notes, sum. [Journal abstract]