Based on the results of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), 87.9 percent or about 9 in 10 Caraganons (Filipinos in Caraga region) aged 5 years old and over had basic literacy.  This translates to approximately 2.24 million individuals aged 5 years old and over who can read, write, and compute out of the estimated 2.55 million individuals in the same age group.

Basic literacy rates varied across provinces and a highly urbanized city in the region with Agusan del Sur having the highest basic literacy rate at 91.2 percent. Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte recorded the lowest at 84.4 percent. (Figure 1)

In comparison, basic literacy rate was higher for females at 89.6 percent compared to males at 86.2 percent. (Figure 2)

In 2024, the functional literacy rate of Caraga was recorded at 63.1 percent or about 6 out of 10 individuals aged 10 to 64 years old were functionally literate.  This translates to around 1.31 million individuals aged 10 to 64 years old who can read, write, compute, and comprehend out of the estimated 2.07 million individuals in the same age group.

Among the provinces and highly urbanized city in Caraga, the City of Butuan recorded the highest functional literacy rate at 73.0 percent. In contrast, the province of Agusan del Norte had the lowest at 55.7 percent. (Figure 3)

Further, females showed a higher functional literacy rate at 67.0 percent compared to their male counterparts at 59.5 percent. (Figure 4) 

Technical Notes

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), which aims to gather data as bases in determining the state of literacy in the country.

The 2024 FLEMMS adopts a revised operational definition and methodology for measuring basic and functional literacy approved by the PSA Board through Resolution No. 13, Series of 2024.

Basic literacy is defined as the ability of a person to read and write, compute a simple message in any language or dialect with understanding, and to compute or perform basic mathematical operations.

Functional literacy is the ability of a person to read, write, compute and comprehend. In addition to the basic literacy skills, functional literacy includes higher level of comprehension skills, such as integrating two or more pieces of information and making inferences based on the given information.

Basic literacy rate is computed for individuals 5 years old and over. Meanwhile, functional literacy rate is computed for individuals 10 to 64 years old.

Approved by:

(Sgd.) GUILLERMO M. LIPIO, JR.
(Chief Statistical Specialist)
Officer-In-Charge
Philippine Statistics Authority-RSSO XIII