Experts highlight digital communication and shifting priorities as key factors in literacy decline
A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveals a worrying decline in literacy skills among Singaporean adults, falling below the OECD average. This trend has implications for employability, workplace efficiency, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Experts attribute the decline to changing communication habits and evolving workplace priorities.
While Singaporean students rank highly in global literacy tests, adult literacy in the country shows a sharp decline after age 35, with older generations scoring below average compared to international counterparts. This raises questions about the long-term retention of literacy skills in Singapore’s workforce and society.
Poor literacy among adults has caused inefficiencies and misunderstandings in workplaces. Reports and proposals riddled with grammatical errors have led to confusion, unprofessional impressions, and wasted time on damage control.
The OECD study, involving 5,000 Singaporean participants aged 16-65, ranked Singapore 18th out of 31 countries for literacy. Thirty percent of adults scored at Level 1 or below, significantly higher than the OECD average of 26%.
Experts suggest that the rise of digital communication, with its reliance on emojis and multimedia, has diminished engagement with complex texts. Older workers, less adaptable to these changes, are particularly affected.
Declining literacy affects more than workplace efficiency. Adults with poor literacy skills struggle with basic tasks like understanding medical instructions, managing finances, and supporting their children’s education, perpetuating a cycle of limited literacy.
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Efforts to promote reading include book clubs, workplace literacy programs, and campaigns linking reading to real-life benefits like relationship management and critical thinking. Employers are also investing in digital literacy to keep employees competitive in a technology-driven world.
The literacy gap signals a need for a renewed focus on lifelong learning and reading habits. For international visitors and partners, it highlights the challenges of balancing rapid technological advancement with foundational skills like literacy.
A study reveals Singaporean adult literacy levels fall below the OECD average, with 30% scoring at or below Level 1. Experts cite digital communication and workplace priorities as contributors, urging initiatives to bridge the literacy gap for improved societal and economic outcomes.
Source: CNA (2025)
Keywords: Literacy Decline, Singaporean Adults, Employability Concerns
