Author: Mazumdar, Krishna

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

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Abstract:

<B>Purpose</B> - This study attempts to find the socio-economic factors behind the differential achievement level in adult literacy in developing countries. <B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - 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. <B>Findings</B> - 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 <B>Originality/value</B> - 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: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03068290510575667

Publication date: 2005-01-01

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