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"Learning a living: First results of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey" presents new evidence on the nature and magnitude of the literacy gaps faced by OECD countries and how these gaps have evolved over the medium term.

The fundamental goal of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALL) is to shed new light on the twin processes of skill gain and loss. The survey is sponsored by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The report offers new insights into the factors that influence the formation and loss of adult skills in various settings - at home and at work - for the seven countries participating in the first round of data collection. The study offers the first comparative evidence on the impact of formal adult education and informal learning on the supply of skill. It also provides unique insight into the distribution of information and communication technology skills, and how these have amplified both productivity and wage inequality.

It is meant to assist decision makers in formulating policy in four areas:
-Policies aimed at removing skill deficits that act as barriers to innovation, productivity and high rates of economic growth;
-Policies designed to limit and reverse social exclusion and income inequality;
-Policies that seek to reduce the unit cost of delivering public health care and education services;
-Policies conceived to improve quality in all spheres, from public services to quality of life, individual fulfillment and happiness.

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([B] = Bilingual; see "Bilingual products" below )

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Keywords

educational attainment, international comparisons, learning, skill development.

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Bilingual products

Some bilingual products have changed to separate English and French products. In these cases, back issues are bilingual and the more recent issues are unilingual.

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Sponsors

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development