The latest OECD report highlights significant disparities in the level of basic skills among adults across member nations. Lithuania was identified as having one of the four lowest indicators among the countries studied. The report provides context by noting that the average rate across OECD countries indicates that 31% of adults struggle with basic skills.
For comparison, Estonia reported a lower figure at 23%, while Latvia recorded a rate of 37%. The assessment defines low basic skills as difficulties encountered by individuals when attempting to find clearly presented information within a short text, comprehending simple instructions, completing basic forms, or performing routine calculations using standard numbers and units of measurement. The implications of possessing low basic skills extend across several aspects of adult life, according to the findings of the report.
Economically, the study indicates that adults lacking these foundational skills are approximately one-third less likely to participate in the labor market. Furthermore, those with low basic skills earn, on average, about five US dollars less per hour compared to their counterparts with average skill levels. Beyond employment, the report links low basic skills to broader indicators of well-being.
Adults with these deficiencies are also more prone to reporting poorer health outcomes and tend to report lower levels of life satisfaction. This underscores the critical importance of foundational educational skills for overall socio-economic stability.
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