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Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ALL)

Overview

The Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALL) Survey is an international comparative study designed to provide participating countries, including the United States, with information about the skills of their adult populations. ALL measured the literacy and numeracy skills of a nationally representative sample from each participating country.

On a pilot basis, ALL also measured adults' problem-solving skills and gathered information on their familiarity with information and communication technologies.

ALL builds on the foundation of earlier studies of adult literacy. Chief among these earlier studies is the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), which was conducted in three phases (1994, 1996 and 1998) in 20 nations including the United States.

highlight icon of a check markHighlights

2003

Highlights From the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ALL) now available!

This issue brief highlights the performance of U.S. adults in prose and document literacy and numeracy compared to five other countries. View the issue brief in PDF format or online.

View this ALL Publication:

Using Telephone and Mail Surveys as a Supplement or Alternative to Door-to-Door Surveys in the Assessment of Adult Literacy

Data Snapshot

Selected average literacy scores of 16- to 65-year-olds in 2003:<br>
Norway   293<br> 
Switzerland  274<br> 
United States 269<br> 
Italy   228
Selected average literacy scores of 16- to 65-year-olds in 2003:
Norway 293
Switzerland 274
United States 269
Italy 228

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