World Literacy Day, officially International Literacy Day, is on 8 September.
The date is 8 September.
How to use the World Literacy Day Countdown#
- Check the date. International Literacy Day is on 8 September every year.
- Choose what to count to. Stay on the next World Literacy Day, or look a year further ahead.
- Plan around it. The weekday and the weeks left are listed, so you can see at once how it fits your week.
A UNESCO day#
UNESCO proclaimed the day in 1966 and it was first celebrated in 1967, to remind the world of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights. Hundreds of millions of adults still can’t read or write with confidence, and a large share of them are women. Every year has a theme, and UNESCO awards literacy prizes on the day.
Ways to help#
You can read with a child, donate books, volunteer with an adult literacy class or support a library. Schools often hold reading challenges, and a countdown is a handy way to build up to one. Start a book collection two to three weeks ahead so there’s time to sort and deliver.
When is International Literacy Day in the next few years?#
International Literacy Day is on 8 September every year.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 8 September | Wednesday |
| 2028 | 8 September | Friday |
| 2029 | 8 September | Saturday |
| 2030 | 8 September | Sunday |
| 2031 | 8 September | Monday |
Why literacy still matters#
UNESCO estimates that hundreds of millions of adults worldwide cannot read or write with confidence, and that two thirds of them are women. The numbers have fallen over the decades, but population growth means the total has not fallen as quickly as the rate has. Poor literacy limits access to jobs, health information and the ability to vote with confidence.
Digital literacy is now part of the conversation too. UNESCO’s recent themes have looked at how people learn to read in a world of screens, and at multilingual education, where children are taught in their first language before moving on.
Reading with a child#
The most effective thing most adults can do is spend 15 to 20 minutes reading with a child a few times a week. Let the child choose the book, ask what they think will happen next, and point to words as you read. For children learning in a second language, books in the home language are as helpful as those in the school language.
Libraries are a free and underused resource. If a library near you is short of books, a donation drive in the weeks before the day helps. Collect books in good condition, sorted by age group.
A school or community plan#
Work back from Wed 8 September 2027:
| When | What to do | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks out | Announce the reading challenge and set the target | Wed 11 August 2027 |
| 3 weeks out | Start collecting books | Wed 18 August 2027 |
| 1 week out | Sort, label and deliver the books | Wed 1 September 2027 |
| On the day | Hold a read-aloud event | Wed 8 September 2027 |
The date falls on a Wednesday in 2027, so a school assembly is easy to organise. A reading hour can be put into the timetable at no cost.
Facts to share on the day#
- UNESCO started its literacy prizes in the 1960s and presents them each year around 8 September.
- Literacy is defined as the ability to read and write a short, simple statement about everyday life. Many people who pass that test still struggle with forms, contracts and instructions.
- Children who are taught in a language they speak at home generally learn to read faster than those taught in an unfamiliar language.
- Women make up around two thirds of adults who cannot read, and the figure is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The day falls just after many schools reopen in September, so it is an easy fit for a new term. You can also link it to World Teachers’ Day on 5 October, which is four weeks later, and run one reading drive across both.
Frequently asked questions#
8 September.
UNESCO, in 1966.
No. It covers children, young people and adults.
UNESCO did. It proclaimed the day in 1966 and first marked it on 8 September 1967, as a reminder that literacy is a matter of human rights and dignity. UNESCO now awards literacy prizes on or around the date, and publishes a theme each year that focuses attention on a particular group or problem, such as adult learners or digital skills.
Read aloud to a child for 15 minutes a few times a week, give books you no longer need to a school or library, or help a neighbour with a form they find hard. Volunteering an hour a week with an adult literacy class makes a real difference. A small group can also run a book drive in the weeks before 8 September.