Insee Première · April 2024 · n° 1993

In 2022, one adult in ten had difficulties with reading skills

In 2022, in France, 10% of people aged 18 to 64 had difficulties in the basic areas of reading and writing. Among adults who began their schooling in France, 4% were illiterate. Difficulties in arithmetic skills affected 12% of people aged 18 to 64, and tended to add to reading difficulties: 62% of people with difficulties in reading skills also had difficulties in arithmetic skills.

Women were more likely than men to have difficulties with arithmetic skills, but the differences were slight when it came to reading. Difficulties in reading, and to a lesser extent in arithmetic, were more common among the older generations. Skills were closely linked to the level of education of the individual and their parents, as well as to have attended all schooling in France. Inhabitants of Priority Neighbourhoods of urban policy and overseas departments were more likely to have difficulties with reading and arithmetic skills.

These difficulties had an impact on daily life: in particular, they limited the use of the Internet for administrative purposes.