Literacy and Education as Correlates to National Stability and Human Development

Statistical analysis of existing databases across nearly 200 countries dealing with national/human development (2 databases) and literacy/education policy (4 databases) shows high correlation between literacy and national development. Correlations were highest between national literacy scores and human/national development. Correlations were lowest, indeed in some cases slightly negative, when comparing percentage of gross national product spent on education with literacy and education. The analyses indicate countries with higher literacy and better education policies tend to have improved human development and national stability. Money spent on education seemed not to be a deciding factor