OECD survey: 1 in 3 adults in Italy has inadequate skills

In Italy there is, and unfortunately not improving, a skills problem. Adults, between the ages of 16 and 65, i.e. people of working or near-working age, score rather low in literacy, numeracy and even problem solving. Not only that: compared to ten years ago, we are not making any progress, despite the many reforms (and counter-reforms) implemented by governments of all political colours, and despite the entry of 'fresh forces' into the labour market, which - it is now increasingly evident - are paying the price for education and training systems that are not yet able to provide adequate skills. This is the picture taken by the OECD's Piaac survey on adult skills, which involved 31 countries in the years 2022-23 (Italy participated in both this occasion and the previous one, in the years 2011-12). In Italy the survey was carried out by Inapp on behalf of the Ministry of Labour.

In all three domains, Italians between the ages of 16 and 65 are well below the OECD average: in literacy we score, on average, 245 points, in numeracy 244, and 231 in adaptive problem solving.

In literacy, 35% of adults (OECD average 26%) scored at or below level 1, which means they have low literacy skills. Adults who score at level 1 are able to understand short texts and organised lists when the information is clearly stated. People who have not reached level 1 are able to understand, at most, short and simple sentences. At the other end of the scale, only 5% of adults (OECD average 12%) score level 4 or 5 in literacy and are considered high performers. These adults are able to understand and evaluate articulate, long, multi-page texts, grasp complex or hidden meanings and use prior skills to understand texts and complete tasks.

In numeracy, 35% of adults (OECD average 25%) scored at or below level 1. Those who score at level 1 are people who can do basic calculations with whole numbers or money, understand decimals and identify and extract individual pieces of information from tables or graphs, but may have difficulties with tasks that require more steps (e.g. solving a proportion). Individuals below level 1 are able to add and subtract small numbers. Adults in level 4 or 5 are the high performers (6% in Italy, 14% on average in OECD countries). They are able to calculate and understand rates and ratios, interpret complex graphs and critically evaluate statistical information.

In Adaptive Problem Solving, 46% of adults (OECD average 29%) scored at or below level 1. Again, these are people who are able to solve simple problems with few variables and information. About 1% of adults (OECD average 5%) have a deeper understanding of problems. Taking the three domains together, 26% of adults in Italy (OECD average 18%) scored at or below level 1.