WG/BRMB Survey of Adult Basic Skills 2010

Undertaken between March and November 2010

Statistics and tables lifted from Welsh Government websiteFull 16 page document at:

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2011/110713sdr1192011en.pdf

Overall Skill levels from survey:

There has been an improvement in literacy levels:

At Entry level or below: 2010 - 12% 2004 - 25%.

Level 1: 2010 - 29% 2004 - 37%

Level 2 or above: 2010 - 59% 2004 - 38%

There is little change in numeracy levels: Entry Level or below: 2010 - 51% 2004 - 53%

Level 1: 2010 - 29% 2004 - 25%

Level 2 or above: 2010 - 21% 2004 - 22%

As in the 2004 survey, literacy and numeracy levels were higher amongst the employed, those with higher levels of household income, those with higher qualifications, and amongst the older age groups.

Gender:This survey again shows that males are more likely to have a higher level of numeracy and lower level of literacy than females. However males were more likely to achieve level 2 or above in both subjects.

Literacy:

Entry level or below: Male - 13% Female - 11%

Achieve level 2: Male - 60% Female - 57%

Numeracy:

Entry level or below: Male - 41% Female - 60%

Achieve level 2: Male - 29% Female - 13%

Age Groups

It would seem that we still have school leavers who are not equipped with the basic skills they need to be able to progress in their lives, as shown below:

Percentage of adults assessed at each Literacy level by age group

Percentage of adults assessed at each Numeracy level by age group

Employment:

Unemployed adults were more likely to have Entry Level literacy and numeracy skills or below than those in employment. However Literacy levels for both employed and unemployed have improved in comparison with 2004.

Literacy

Numeracy

Household Income before tax:

Those with lower levels of household income were more likely to have lower literacy and numeracy skills. The tables below show the percentages in relation to household income before tax (2010 figures only):

Literacy

Numeracy

Qualification:

This survey again highlights the fact that no matter how highly qualified you are, you can still get rusty! Percentage of adults assessed at level by Highest Qualification:

Literacy

Numeracy

In addition to assessing literacy and numeracy levels through the medium of English, the National Survey of Adult Skills in Wales assessed the Welsh medium literacy skills of Welsh speaking adults in Wales. The Welsh medium literacy assessment should be considered in isolation from that of overall (English medium) literacy. The two were entirely separate and distinct assessments, and given the vast differences in the language structure and use of English and Welsh, there is not necessarily a direct read across from the Welsh to the English literacy levels

Percentage of Welsh speaking adults at each Literacy level

Gender:

Females were assessed as having higher Welsh medium literacy skills than males.

Entry level or below: Male – 42% Female – 31%

Level 2 or above: Male – 31% Female – 43%

Age:

Again the 16-19 age group are the group most in need of help:

16-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-65Entry Level 46 42 38 30 33 33Level 1 28 22 25 25 30 27Level 2 or above 25 36 37 44 37 41