Brazil still has 8.4 million illiterate people over the age of 15. This is according to data released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), which highlights how, despite progress made in recent decades, illiteracy continues to pose a significant challenge for the country.
According to the survey, the illiteracy rate among the population aged 15 and over is steadily decreasing, but remains particularly high among the elderly, in the poorest regions and among the most socially vulnerable groups.
The data also show strong regional differences: the phenomenon is most concentrated in the Northeast of Brazil, while the South and Southeast regions have the lowest levels of illiteracy.
Experts emphasize that reducing illiteracy is crucial not only to guarantee access to education, but also to foster social inclusion, employment, and the country’s economic development. For this reason, adult literacy policies continue to be considered a priority for Brazilian education authorities.
Despite the decline recorded in recent years, the number of people who cannot read and write demonstrates that Brazil still faces significant challenges in ensuring universal access to quality education.