- Limited Economic Opportunities: Illiteracy can severely restrict an individual's economic opportunities by limiting their access to education and employment. Many jobs require a certain level of literacy to perform essential functions, and without the ability to read and write, individuals may be confined to low-paying manual labor or informal employment.
- Lower Income Potential: Illiterate individuals often have limited earning potential compared to literate workers. Studies have shown a substantial wage gap between literate and illiterate workers, with the former earning significantly higher incomes.
- Fewer Skilled Job Opportunities: Illiterate individuals often lack the skills and competencies required for skilled and specialized jobs, which usually demand good reading and writing abilities. Consequently, they tend to be concentrated in low-skilled and low-paying occupations.
Social:
- Limited Access to Education: Illiteracy can perpetuate itself across generations as illiterate individuals may struggle to provide their children with access to quality education. This reinforces a cycle of poverty, as children of illiterate parents are more likely to remain illiterate themselves.
- Social Exclusion: Illiteracy can lead to social exclusion and stigmatization. Individuals with poor literacy skills may face difficulties interacting effectively in society, accessing essential services, and participating fully in community activities.
- Reduced Empowerment: Illiteracy limits an individual's ability to advocate for their rights, make informed decisions, engage in civic and political activities, and fully participate in society. Without the ability to read and write, individuals are less empowered to control their lives and are more susceptible to manipulation and exploitation.
- Poor Health: Illiterate individuals may face health disadvantages as they may have difficulty reading and understanding health-related information and instructions, such as medication labels and doctor's prescriptions.
Personal:
- Limited Personal Development: Illiteracy can limit personal growth and development by hindering an individual's ability to access information, improve their skills, and engage in lifelong learning.
- Low Levels of Self-Confidence: Illiteracy can lead to low self-esteem and self-confidence, as individuals may feel a sense of inadequacy and inferiority compared to literate peers.
- Increased Social Dependence: Individuals who are illiterate may depend on others to perform tasks that require literacy skills, leading to a loss of autonomy and independence.