Every year in September, countries around the world observe International Literacy Day, a UNESCO initiative launched in 1967 to highlight literacy as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of peace, social cohesion and mutual understanding.
Despite global progress, UNESCO reports that 739 million adults remain illiterate, with women accounting for two-thirds of that figure.
In Turkey, efforts to improve adult literacy have accelerated in recent years.
The Ministry of National Education reports that adult education programs at public learning centers gained momentum following the launch of the Literacy Mobilization Initiative in February 2018.
Backed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan, the campaign aims to help citizens who cannot read or write gain basic literacy and continue their education through second-level adult courses equivalent to primary school.
The initiative also focuses on helping participants improve their spoken Turkish, learn basic arithmetic and civics, and acquire essential life skills for daily living. These programs are part of a broader push to close literacy gaps and promote lifelong learning across the country.
Turkey’s nationwide Literacy Mobilization Initiative has drawn strong public interest since its launch in 2018, with nearly 1.9 million adults enrolling in courses aimed at improving basic reading and writing skills.
According to data from the Ministry of National Education, 978,073 participants successfully completed the program and received literacy certificates. Of those, 253,056 advanced to earn the Second-Level Adult Education Certificate, equivalent to a primary school education.
The campaign has contributed to a steady decline in the number of adults unable to read or write. In 2017, the year before the initiative began, Turkey recorded 2,330,640 illiterate individuals aged 15 and older. That figure dropped to 2,197,257 in 2018, 2,024,637 in 2019, and 1,914,511 in 2020.
By 2024, the number had fallen to 1,589,994—of whom 1,388,353 were women and 201,641 were men—marking a significant improvement in adult literacy across the country. The campaign continues to prioritize inclusive education and lifelong learning, with a focus on empowering underserved communities.