In Brazil, only 8% are fully capable of understanding and expressing themselves

The situation is important for the economy and job creation. For the teacher at Unicamp (Universidade Estadual de Campinas) Ana Lúcia Guedes-Pinto, this gap reflects the historical socioeconomic inequalities in the country and points to the need for more investment in basic and public education. "We still haven't reached [good] levels of literacy", says the professor in the department of teaching and cultural practices at the Faculty of Education. "[The proficient] is still a very small, elite group", adds Guedes-Pinto.