Despite better access to education, many adults today still cannot read or write. In what ways are they disadvantaged? What can governments do to help them?

In a world where education is often treated as the gateway to independence, it is easy to assume that basic literacy is now universal. Yet many adults still struggle to read instructions, fill in forms, or write simple messages. This problem is not merely an educational failure; it affects almost every dimension of adult life. Governments therefore have a clear responsibility to reduce adult illiteracy through practical, accessible, and stigma-free support.