site.btaBulgarian Children Among OECD’s Most Functionally Illiterate, UNICEF Reports

Bulgaria has one of the highest shares of functionally illiterate children, according to a report by UNICEF published on Wednesday. 

The document analyses academic abilities among children in 43 member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Union, and notes concerns linked to school closures during the coronavirus pandemic.

The report notes that in these 43 countries, there are a total of 8 million 15-year-olds, or about half of children in this age group, considered functionally illiterate, meaning they cannot read with understanding. Besides Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus and Mexico also have the highest shares of such children.

The Netherlands and Denmark are rated as the best countries for children when it comes to mental well-being, physical health and skill acquisition. New Zealand, Colombia, Mexico, Turkiye and Chile are ranked lowest in these areas.