This chapter explores the relationships between age, gender, education level and proficiency in the four assessed domains. An understanding of these relationships is important as the level of competencies benefit both the individual and society. It can assist Canadians in making informed decisions whether they need employment, participate in civic activities or undertake financial decisions.
The relationship between age and ability level is complex. Research suggests several mechanisms may be at play. On one hand, cognitive performance may diminish as individuals age (Smith and Marsiske, 1997). On the other hand, performance may be enhanced as individuals age and accumulate experience, knowledge and skills (Baltes, 1987; Horn and Hofer, 1992; Schaie, 1994; Marsiske and Smith, 1998).
Figure 2.1 shows that proficiency in prose literacy tends to decrease with age, the largest observed decline occurring between the two oldest age groups – those aged 56 to 65 and those over age 65.
At 292, the average score for individuals aged 26 to 35 corresponds to Level 3 literacy, whereas the average score for those over 65, at 221, corresponds to the upper boundary of Level 1 literacy. This difference of 71 points and two proficiency levels is substantial.
With the exception of those over age 65, the largest proportion within each age group scores at Level 3 on the prose literacy scale (Figure 2.2). For those over 65, the largest proportion is found at Level 1. About 18 percent of those over 65 score at Level 3 or above. For the younger age groups, the proportion of persons with proficiency levels at or above Level 3 – the level considered as the desired threshold for coping well in a complex knowledge society - ranges from a high of 67 percent for persons aged 26 to 35 to 42 percent for those aged 56 to 65 years. The literacy performance of the youngest age group, many of whom are still enrolled in school, is close to that of the group aged 26 to 35 years.