International Literacy Day
- Date Observed: 8 September every year since 1967.
- Declared By: UNESCO at its 14th General Conference session on 26 October 1966.
- First Celebrated: 1967.
- Global Literacy Challenge:
- At least 739 million youth and adults lack basic literacy skills (2024 estimate).
- 4 in 10 children not reaching minimum reading proficiency.
- 272 million children and adolescents out of school in 2023.
Theme 2025: “Promoting literacy in the digital era”
This year’s observance focuses on how digitalisation has transformed learning, living, and working, while also warning of the risk of double marginalisation (exclusion from both conventional literacy and digital opportunities).
Significance
- Literacy is a fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of other human rights, freedoms, and global citizenship.
- In the digital era, literacy also includes the ability to access, evaluate, create, communicate, and navigate digital content safely.
- Central to fostering critical thinking, identifying credible information, and engaging in a knowledge-driven society.
Importance of ILD 2025
- Platform for reflection on what literacy means in today’s world.
- Showcases effective literacy policies and interventions as a common good and human right.
- Aims to create inclusive, just, peaceful, and sustainable societies through literacy empowerment.
Background & Evolution
- 1966: UNESCO General Conference (14th session, 26 Oct) declared 8 September as ILD.
- 1967 onwards: Annual global observance.
- 2025 Date: Monday, 8 September 2025.
- UNESCO has continually adapted ILD themes to reflect contemporary challenges, e.g., literacy and skills development, multilingualism, climate action, and now digital literacy.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization):
- HQ: Paris, France.
- Established: 16 November 1945.
- Director-General (2025): Audrey Azoulay.
- India is a founding member.
Global Literacy Facts:
- World Literacy Rate (2024 est.): ~87%.
- Adult Literacy Rate in India (Census 2011): 74.04%
- Male: 82.14%
- Female: 65.46%
- States with highest literacy: Kerala (94%).
- States with lowest literacy: Bihar (~61.8%).
India & Literacy Initiatives:
- National Literacy Mission (1988) → focus on adult literacy.
- Saakshar Bharat Mission (2009) → women & adult literacy.
- Padhna Likhna Abhiyan (2020) → replaced Saakshar Bharat.
- New Education Policy (NEP 2020): strong emphasis on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) under NIPUN Bharat Mission (2021).