Alfabetismo en América Latina y el Caribe y políticas públicas

The general objective of the study was to analyze the literacy situation in Latin America and the Caribbean in a reality of figures and implemented public policies, based on quantitative data. The research adopted a positivist paradigm and a non-experimental design with a descriptive level. The sample used consisted of statistics reflecting literacy and illiteracy figures and trends in different geographical contexts, which made it possible to describe and analyze the situation. To achieve this, a variety of theoretical and statistical information was collected. In a first analysis, the concepts of literacy were explored, seeking to understand and contextualize the topic. In addition, various indicators and trends related to literacy were examined. Among the main conclusions of this study, the following stand out: Literacy is an essential human right that requires effective public policies to guarantee basic competencies in reading and writing. At the extreme end of the scale, with a literacy rate of 40%, there are countries with an average literacy rate of 33%, which means that the illiteracy rate is 67%, that is, 67 out of every 100 people are illiterate. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, the literacy rate was 95% (2022); being realities that imply that the international commitments assumed must be reevaluated and monitored.