Socio-economic factors determining adult literacy in developing countries

Author: Mazumdar, Krishna

Source: International Journal of Social Economics, Volume 32, Numbers 1-2, 2005 , pp. 98-120(23)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Purpose - This study attempts to find the socio-economic factors behind the differential achievement level in adult literacy in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach - Considers a number of theories. These include modernization theory, dependency/world systems theory, developmental state theory, new human ecology theory and convergence-divergence theory as an explanation of the differential level of adult literacy rate. Findings - The findings reveal the importance of the initial level of adult literacy and the population growth. Similarly short-term economic growth has a significant impact on the initial level of adult literacy, and the medium human development and low human development samples Originality/value - This attempt to find the factors behind adult literacy is of importance not only as a constituent indicator of the human development index, but also through its various contributions towards economic growth.

Keywords: Adults; Developing countries; Literacy; Social economics

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1108/03068290510575667

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