All countries also saw proficiency gaps between adults of different education levels.
For example, in Singapore, tertiary-educated adults scored 48 points higher in literacy than those with upper secondary education, who in turn scored 59 points higher than those with less than upper secondary education.
Singapore also observed that literacy proficiency started to decline at an earlier age, with similar trends observed in Hungary, South Korea, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia.
Most countries that participated in the study saw a decline in literacy proficiency, but the age where the decline starts and the rate of the decline differs, it added.
The decline in literacy proficiency in Singapore could be due to a cohort effect – younger cohorts have benefited from significant improvements to the education system over the years, with a higher proportion of them having at least a tertiary education, said SSG.
Using skills at work and in daily life may also be less demanding compared to during schooling years, which may result in skills declining over time, it added.
Over time, gaps between the workers’ existing skills and new demands that emerge over time will also form, said SSG.
SSG will continue to support individuals to continue to upskill and reskill, said Ms Pao, noting the S$4,000 (US$3,000) SkillsFuture credit top-up for Singaporeans aged 40 and above.
“The other thing to highlight is of course that workplaces are very important touch points and settings for individuals to continue building their skills, to continue honing and developing their skills, because it has to be done throughout life,” she added.
SSG will work closely with employers to support them and enhance their role in investing in skills development and learning at the workplace, said Ms Pao.
“I think this link between industry and skills development is vital in order to ensure that there is quality industry-relevant and readily accessible for individuals to keep up to date and stay competitive.”
