Abstract

The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to show the extent to which there is potential demand for programmes that address the challenge of adult illiteracy in South Africa.

This Fact Sheet responds to the following questions:

• What is the adult illiteracy rate in South Africa, and what are its patterns of distribution?Terms and definitions: literacy, functional literacy, and functional illiteracy
• What are the implications of the findings on adult illiteracy for the PSET system?