THE functional literacy rate of the Philippines remained low at 70.8 percent in 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday.
In a presentation at the Innotech Center in Quezon City, however, National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said this was the highest score since they revised the definition of basic and functional literacy in accordance with the recommendations set forth from the Department of Education, the Second Congressional Commission on Education and other partners.
Before the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (Flemms), basic literacy was defined as those who can read and write only, while those who can read, write, compute and comprehend, or even those who graduated from high school, were considered functionally literate.
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Literacy National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa discusses basic and functional literacy on July 31, 2025. PHOTO BY RED MENDOZA
But under the current definition implemented in the 2024 Flemms, those who can read and write only are considered as low-literate, while those who can read, write and compute are basic literates, and those who can do all three and comprehend sentences are considered as functionally literate.
Based on the survey, which sampled about 177,656 eligible households and 572,910 individuals ages 5 years old and over, the Philippines has a basic literacy rate of 95.1 percent among ages 5 years old and over, by the old definition.
But using the new definition implemented in 2024, the basic literacy rate is at 90 percent among 5 years old and over, while it is 93.1 percent among those 10 to 64 years of age.
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The basic literacy rate in the Philippines is at par among Southeast Asian nations, who use different metrics such as the ability to read and write, and can understand a short statement about their everyday life.
The basic literacy rate was highest in Central Luzon at 92.8 percent, while the lowest was in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 81 percent.
The top 10 provinces with the highest basic literacy rates were Apayao, Benguet, Romblon, Nueva Ecija, Bohol, Rizal, South Cotabato, Bataan, Cavite and Bulacan, while the top 10 among highly urbanized cities were Pasay City, Cagayan de Oro City, San Juan City, Pasig City, Mandaue City, Pateros, Olongapo City, Cebu City, Taguig City and Makati City.
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The functional literacy rate in 2024 using the old definition was at 93.1 percent, up from 91.6 percent in 2019, but using the revised definition, the functional literacy rate is at 70.8 percent, up from 61.7 percent.
Using the revised definition, the Cordillera Administrative Region had the highest functional literacy rate at 81.2 percent, while the Zamboanga Region had the lowest functional literacy rate at 59.3 percent.
Benguet was the province with the highest functional literacy rate at 87.9 percent, while the lowest was Tawi-Tawi at 33.2 percent. Among highly urbanized cities, San Juan City had the highest functional literacy rate at 94.5 percent, and Tacloban had the lowest at 63.9 percent.
Innotech Center Director Majah-Leah Ravago said changing the definition of basic and functional literacy would allow them to craft the interventions to address the challenges of the education system.
I am very optimistic with the education sector because we have the dream team of education that are looking at the challenges. We are starting to craft those interventions, which is why we are resolving this, Ravago said.
Ravago also said that the teaching profession should be more attractive as teachers shape the learners.
