2.3.3. Distribution by Sex

Table 2-2 shows that there is no statistically significant difference between the rates of functional illiteracy among women (24.1 percent) and men (23.3 percent). A discussion of differential experiences of functionally illiterate women and men is included in section 2.5 on the labour market context.

2.3.4. Distribution by Age

The majority of under-educated adults is over 34 years (86.3 percent). The comparable figures for females and males are 87.1 percent and 86.3 percent respectively. The group of adults with the lowest rate of functional illiteracy is the 15-19 years group (2.4 percent). A slightly higher proportion of men (2.9 percent) than women (1.9 percent) in this category is functionally illiterate (see Table 2-2).

2.3.5. Distribution by Region

The distribution of under-educated persons across Canada is uneven. For example, while the national rate of functional illiteracy is 23.7 percent, in Newfoundland it is 34.4 percent and in Alberta, 14.9 percent. At present, the rate of functional illiteracy tends to be slightly higher in the eastern provinces than in the western provinces (see Table 2-3).

The highest rate of functional illiteracy within the female adult population is found in the Northwest Territories (40.0 percent); followed by Quebec and Newfoundland with 33.3 and 32.6 percent respectively. The lowest rates of functional illiteracy within the female adult population are found in the Yukon Territory (10.9 percent) and Alberta (14.6 percent).

2.3.6. Urban/Rural Distribution

The distribution of under-educated adults in rural and urban areas of Canada is also uneven. In urban Canada, 20.2 percent of the adult population is functionally illiterate; in rural Canada, 28.9 percent. With respect to sex, the rate of functional illiteracy among rural women is lower (27.0 percent) than that among rural men (30.8 percent). The reverse is true, however, in the urban areas where 21.4 percent of women are functionally illiterate compared to 18.9 percent of men (see Table 2-4).

2.4.1. The Total Under-educated Adult Population

Only 2.4 percent (or 66,545 persons) of the adult under-educated population attend formal educational programs: 1.8 percent in full-time programs and 0.63 percent in part-time programs. These figures are very low in comparison to those for the total adult population in which 17.4 percent attend formal education programs: 11.6 percent full-time and 5.8 percent part-time (see Table 2-5). However, in both groups, two-thirds of school attenders are in full-time programs.