Des

ign

Cha

rles

& R

ay E

ames

- H

ang

it al

l ©

Vitr

a

Investing in basic skills of at-risk groups: an illustration of the social investment agenda

Ides Nicaise, HIVA / Dept. Ed. Sc. (KU Leuven)

Poverty risks by level of education

14-5-2012 I. Nicaise – LLL for active inclusion 2

Some facts about low literacy in the EU(source: High-level Group on Literacy)• One in five 15-year olds is low-literate /-numerate (in

some countries >40% !) • in the last decade, the problem has deteriorated• 73 million adults have insufficient basic skills for a

decent living• Low-educated adults are seven times less likely to

participate in adult education than average adults• Reaching the benchmark of 85% ‘functional literacy’ at

age 15 would increase lifetime earnings by € 21 trillion

24-04-23 I. Nicaise – LLL for active inclusion 3

Europe 2020: headline target relating to early school leaving is insufficient• Linear reduction of ESL from 15 to 10% may reduce the

financial poverty risk in the active population from 19 to 17.5% (due to small share of ESL in overall population)

• Eradication of ESL by 2040 may reduce the financial poverty risk in the active population to 11-12%... by 2080

=> More powerful strategy needed: large-scale programme for upgrading of basic skills among adults (see Novas Oportunidades in Portugal)

14-5-2012 I. Nicaise – LLL for active inclusion 4

Rethinking skills in Europe(forthcoming Communication of EC)• First comprehensive endeavour to co-ordinate and

support basic skills upgrading across EU– Reading literacy– Numeracy and basic scientific skills– E-literacy– Foreign languages– Entrepreneurship– Skills matching on labour market

• Remains (very) soft law (language benchmark? Council recommendation?)

24-04-23 I. Nicaise – LLL for active inclusion 5