Is Sri Lanka prepared for global literacy crisis?

Sri Lanka has long been celebrated for its high adult literacy rates, comparable to those of middle and even high-income countries, despite facing economic and political challenges. However, recent global research has revealed a surprising and worrying decline in functional literacy among adults in wealthy nations. This phenomenon, attributed to Jishnu Das, Yash Dhuldhoya, and Ethan Sager, highlights the need to reassess the nature of literacy and its vulnerabilities in Sri Lanka's evolving society.

While Sri Lanka's basic literacy rates remain high and stable, the global trend serves as a cautionary signal that literacy is not a static achievement but a dynamic skill requiring continuous development, protection, and adaptation to changing circumstances. The decline in functional literacy among high-income countries is not due to a loss of basic reading or writing abilities but rather a weakening of the cognitive and informational foundations required for adults to navigate modern information environments effectively.

Researchers stress that this decline cannot be attributed solely to the pandemic or the widespread use of smartphones. Instead, it signals a fundamental erosion of the cognitive and informational skills necessary for adults to comprehend and apply information in real-life situations. These skills include following instructions, understanding official documents, using digital platforms, interpreting medical information, and processing complex texts demanding sustained attention.

Currently, Sri Lanka appears to be immune to this trend, with an adult literacy rate exceeding 92 percent and youth literacy even higher. The country's free education system, coupled with a steady improvement in educational attainment, has ensured widespread access to basic literacy and a generation of citizens capable of reading and writing at a fundamental level.

However, the figures only capture basic literacy and do not encompass functional literacy, which assesses an individual's ability to apply literacy skills in practical contexts such as interpreting financial statements, understanding medical prescriptions, navigating online government portals, or critically evaluating information from social media.

The global trend underscores a major risk factor for Sri Lanka: the increasing reliance on digital information environments. As the country experiences accelerated digitalization, aging demographics, and social change, there is a growing concern that the proliferation of smartphones and short-form digital content could diminish people's capacity for deep reading.

In Sri Lanka, too, there has been a significant rise in smartphone usage, and social media platforms now dominate news consumption, leisure, and communication. While digital access presents numerous benefits, it also fosters a habit of superficial reading, potentially leading to a gradual decline in functional literacy over time.

Additionally, demographic aging poses a challenge for Sri Lanka. As the population ages, an increasing number of older individuals may experience cognitive decline, reduced exposure to new information, and limited opportunities for continuous learning. In high-income countries, aging populations have contributed to a decline in functional literacy, as older adults struggle to adapt to digital systems and complex bureaucratic processes.

In Sri Lanka, where many older generations received education under different curriculum standards, there is a risk that they could become increasingly vulnerable in a world where essential services, such as banking and healthcare, increasingly rely on digital platforms.