Final answer:
Illiteracy and poor diets can reduce national productivity by up to 20%. Despite a global increase in literacy rates, low-income countries still struggle with high illiteracy rates. Improving literacy and nutrition is critical for economic growth in these nations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Illiteracy and poor diets can significantly impact a country's productivity. Based on various studies and historical data, it is estimated that these factors can cost countries up to 20% of their productivity. Malnutrition has affected an average of 17% of people in all developing countries and up to 35% in the least developed countries. Historical trends show that while there have been improvements in global literacy rates, with up to 87% of the world's population being able to read and write by 2020, illiteracy still poses a significant challenge, particularly in low-income countries where the illiteracy rate can be about 40% or higher.
Moreover, a learning crisis is indicated by the high percentage of second grade students, up to 90% in some countries, who are unable to read even a single word after two years of school. This crisis underscores the difference between mere enrollment in school and actual learning. Addressing illiteracy and improving nutrition are crucial for enhancing the developmental prospects of nations, particularly in low-income countries where these issues are most acute. As such, improving literacy and nutrition is essential not just from an educational standpoint, but also from an economic growth perspective in these nations.