The graph illustrates the proportion of teenagers who are 15 years of age who have low reading and writing skills in four nations from 2000 to 2009. Units are measured in percentage.
In terms of the two countries with the highest percentages of teenagers with low reading and writing skills at the start, the number in Denmark started the highest at approximately 18 in 2000. Thereafter, it experienced a slight decrease to 15 in 2009, which was the lowest out of the four countries. In comparison, the figure in Austria stood slightly below that of Denmark at just under 15 before increasing moderately to slightly over 20 three years later. Although it remained relatively stable until 2006, it finally experienced a more significant rise and ended at around 28.
Regarding the two countries with the lowest proportions of 15-year-olds with poor literacy skills in the beginning, the percentage in Sweden started slightly below that of Austria at around 13. From the start until 2003, it remained relatively constant but from that point onwards, there was a marginal increase until the end when it reached about 17. A similar trend can be seen in Ireland whereby the number stood the lowest at just above 10. For the first three years, there was virtually no change at all, and in 2003, it finally rose moderately to end at the same level as Sweden in 2009.
Overall, the percentage of 15-year-olds with low literacy skills increased in Austria, Sweden and Ireland while the opposite occurred in Denmark. Moreover, while the proportion of poor reading and writing levels had been the highest in Denmark at the start of the period, it was surpassed by Austria at the end.