Around the world education has been increasing particularly in many European nations. Currently, 25 countries around the world can boast literacy rates of more than 99% with the top six claiming a 100% rate. Although definitions of literacy have some variations around the world, the most basic definition has been agreed upon as all members of the population over the age of 6 to be competent to read and write in their native language at a level commiserate with their age. The top six countries with a 100% literacy rate are: Andorra, Finland, Greenland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Norway.

Andorra is a small country in southwestern Europe who mandates all citizens ages 6-16 must attend school and spend between 7-8% of their GDP on supporting education and educational services. All the other countries with 100% literacy have similar laws and budget similar percentages of their GDP on education.

Amongst the remaining top 25 nations who have more than 99% literacy, all but three of them are in Europe or countries from the former Soviet Union. The three non-European countries are Russia, Barbados and Cuba. Unfortunately, the United States does not appear in the top 25 nations. According to recent reports 14% of the American population is considered illiterate and overall, 29% of the population cannot read and write at a level commiserate with age and/or grade. And these figures have not changed for the past 10 years.

More Info: www.worldatlas.com