Describes status and challenge of worldwide illiteracy. Discusses statistical plausibility of universal literacy by 2000. Predicts literacy universalization will take from 14 to 21 years, depending on region, if 1980s trends continue. Implies literacy work requires action strategies commensurate with problem, including national programs and mass…

Using data from 1960 to 1976, the author examines population and enrollment trends for successive levels of education in the world's developed and developing regions and computes enrollment and drop-out ratios. National expenditures on education and gross national product per capita expense figures are also presented for these regions. (SJL)