5-7-2023 (MANILA) The literacy rate in the Philippines has climbed to 97%, marking a 1.2 percentage point improvement over the past five years, according to data released on Tuesday by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The PSA cited the survey results of the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, revealing that out of the 97.6 million Filipinos above the age of five, 94.6 million individuals were deemed literate. These individuals were able to read and write a simple message in any language or dialect.
Among the regions, Metro Manila boasted the highest literacy rate at 98.9%, while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the southern Philippines had the lowest literacy rate at 86.4%.
Furthermore, the data highlighted a slight gender disparity in the literacy rate for 2020, with females recording a rate of 97.1% compared to males at 96.8%. This echoes the same trend observed in the 2015 survey.
Delving into the educational landscape, the data revealed that approximately one in every six college graduates held a degree in education science, making it the most popular course among college graduates. While males tended to prefer management and administration courses, females showed a greater inclination towards education science.
Additionally, the data indicated that more females than males pursued post-baccalaureate education, showcasing their commitment to higher academic achievements.
