Standard of living is dependent on literacy.

Literacy rate: the % of people who can read and write

A country’s literacy rate directly affects its standard of living.

Being unable to read or write is a main cause of poverty. A country with too many people who can’t read or write will result in poverty, because its people will be unemployable and have lives of poverty.

People who can’t read or write on a basic level have very few skills. They are unable to get good-paying jobs.

Illiteracy: being unable to read or write Mr. Jones when he was illiterate.