(ANS – Madrid) – International Literacy Day marks its 60th anniversary under the banner of “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.” Although progress has been made, 739 million adults still lack basic reading and writing skills, and 273 million children and young people do not have access to schooling. Misiones Salesianas, the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, emphasizes that education is a right and the most effective tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. This is why it works alongside Salesian missionaries across five continents.
As on every Sept. 8, this date reminds us that learning to read, write, and understand the world must not be a privilege. In 2026, UNESCO will mark the 60th anniversary of this Day with a global celebration in Chiapas, Mexico, under the motto chosen for this year. The initiative highlights the importance of literacy in promoting inclusion, building a sustainable future, and expanding personal, employment, and economic opportunities.
The Figures
Eighty-seven percent of the world’s population age 15 and older can read and write, but progress remains insufficient and uneven. At least 739 million adults still lack basic literacy skills, and two-thirds of them are women. The greatest challenges are concentrated in Central and South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Literacy is not just about recognizing letters or writing a sentence. It enables people to understand information, communicate, deal with administrative procedures, navigate digital environments with ease, know their rights, and participate actively in community life. It also improves access to work, health care, and food, and reduces poverty.
Inequality particularly affects women living in rural areas, in situations of poverty, or in countries affected by conflict. Depriving them of education limits their autonomy and also affects the opportunities available to their families and communities.
Exclusion often begins in childhood. Currently, 273 million children and young people are not attending school — that is, one in six school-age children. Of these, 79 million should be attending primary school, 64 million lower secondary school, and 130 million upper secondary school.
Millions of Children Around the World Are Still Not Attending School
Poverty, child labor, displacement, and armed conflict keep millions of children out of the classroom. This lack of access to quality education increases the risk that literacy difficulties will persist into adulthood.
In emergency situations, school is also a place of protection. There, children can reestablish a routine, socialize, receive food, and access health care or psychological support. For Salesian missionaries, ensuring education in these contexts is essential to prevent boys, girls, and young people from losing touch with their childhood.
Behind the figures are lives that are being transformed through education. Kouly, a mother from Togo, has started attending daily literacy classes organized with the support of the Salesians. Through these initiatives, women in rural communities learn French and basic arithmetic — skills that enable them to become self-reliant and participate in decision-making within their communities.
In India, meanwhile, the education Nisha received at a Salesian center has also transformed her future: “Today I run a small beauty salon and can support myself and ensure a good education for my children,” she explains.
Literacy Is Not Just About Teaching People to Read and Write
“At Misiones Salesianas, we support educational and training projects so that the most vulnerable people can learn, develop their skills, and build a dignified future for themselves,” writes the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid. “Because literacy is not just about teaching people to read and write: it means giving them a voice, freedom, and opportunities. The collaboration of members, donors, and organizations enables education to reach those who continue to be excluded from this fundamental right, particularly the children and young people we support across the five continents.”