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Adult literacy programs in developing countries

Author

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  • Niels-Hugo Blunch

    (Washington and Lee University, USA, and IZA, Germany)

Abstract

In addition to the traditional education system targeting children and youth, one potentially important vehicle to improve literacy and numeracy skills is adult literacy programs (ALPs). In many developing countries, however, these programs do not seem to achieve these hoped for, ex ante, objectives and have therefore received less attention, if not been largely abandoned, in recent years. But, evidence shows that ALPs do affect other important socio-economic outcomes such as health, household income, and labor market participation by enhancing participants’ health knowledge and income-generating activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels-Hugo Blunch, 2017. "Adult literacy programs in developing countries," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 374-374, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:y:journl:2017:n:374
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John Oxenham, 2002. "Skills and Literacy Training for Better Livelihoods : A Review of Approaches and Experiences," World Bank Publications - Reports 9767, The World Bank Group.
    2. Blunch, Niels-Hugo, 2008. "Multidimensional Human Capital, Wages and Endogenous Employment Status in Ghana," IZA Discussion Papers 3906, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Niels-Hugo Blunch & Claus C. Pörtner, 2011. "Literacy, Skills, and Welfare: Effects of Participation in Adult Literacy Programs," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 60(1), pages 17-66.
    4. Jenny C. Aker & Christopher Ksoll & Travis J. Lybbert, 2012. "Can Mobile Phones Improve Learning? Evidence from a Field Experiment in Niger," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(4), pages 94-120, October.
    5. Anthony Okech & Roy A. Carr-Hill & Anne R. Katahoire & Teresa Kakooza & Alice N. Ndidde & John Oxenham, 2001. "Adult Literacy Programs in Uganda," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 13856, December.
    6. Blunch, Niels-Hugo, 2013. "Staying Alive: Adult Literacy Programs and Child Mortality in Rural Ghana," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 114-126.
    7. Jon Lauglo, 2001. "Adult Education in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Bank Publications - Reports 9793, The World Bank Group.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Niels-Hugo Blunch & Jeffrey S. Hammer, 2018. "The Last of the Lost Generations? Formal and Non-Formal Education in Ghana during Times of Economic Decline and Recovery," Journal of African Development, African Finance and Economic Association (AFEA), vol. 20(2), pages 35-60.
    2. Asongu, Simplice A & Odhiambo, Nicholas M, 2023. "Information technology, inequality and adult literacy in developing countries," Working Papers 29843, University of South Africa, Department of Economics.
    3. Derek Headey & Giordano Palloni, 2019. "Water, Sanitation, and Child Health: Evidence From Subnational Panel Data in 59 Countries," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(2), pages 729-752, April.
    4. Gbolahan S Osho & Arinola C Ebalunode, 2019. "Measuring Literacy Gap in the World for Economic and Social Development: Evidence from Selected Countries and the Lessons Learned," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 10(6), pages 123-130.
    5. Thomas,Michael Stephen Charles & Knowland, Victoria C. P. & Rogers, Cathy, 2020. "The Science of Adult Literacy," Policy Research Working Paper Series 145579, The World Bank.
    6. Abbott, Pamela & Mugisha, Roger & Mtika, Peter & Nzabalirwa, Wenceslas, 2020. "Failing adult learners: Why Rwanda’s adult literacy education is not delivering," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    adult literacy programs; human capital; literacy and numeracy; income generation; labor market participation; health;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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