Numeracy and literacy in the adult population are key skills that transform lives, promote social inclusion and contribute to sustainable societies. Without these skills, adults are at risk of disadvantage. Furthermore, innovation will not as easily translate into a growth in well-being, while individuals and countries will be less prosperous. Getting the best returns on investment in the development of adult skills and competencies requires comprehensivedata to assess what people know, what they do with what they know, and the extent to which they are equipping themselves with the skills they need to sustain themselves in the twenty-first century. 

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning undertakes research, capacity-building, networking and publicationon lifelong learning with a focus on adult and continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education. Its publications are a valuable resource for educational researchers, planners, policy-makers and practitioners:http://uil.unesco.org/