Information Technology, Inequality, and Adult Literacy in Developing Countries

The studyassesses linkages between information technology, inequality, and adult literacy in 57 developing countries for the period 2012-2016. Income inequality is measured with the Gini coefficient while six dynamics of information technology are taken on board, namely use of a virtual social network, Internet access in schools, Internet penetration, mobile phone penetration, fixed broadband subscription, and a number of personal computer users. The empirical evidence is based on interactive Tobit regressions. The findings show that only Internet access in schools unconditionally promotes adult literacy. The corresponding inequality threshold that should not be exceeded for Internet access in schools to continue promoting adult literacy is 0.739 of the Gini coefficient. Policy implications are discussed.

Automated summary

This study examines the relationship between information technology, inequality, and adult literacy in 57 developing countries from 2012 to 2016. Using the Gini coefficient to measure income inequality, six aspects of information technology are considered: virtual social network usage, internet access in schools, internet penetration, mobile phone penetration, fixed broadband subscription, and the number of personal computer users. The empirical evidence is based on interactive Tobit regressions. The results indicate that only internet access in schools unconditionally promotes adult literacy. The threshold for internet access in schools to continue promoting adult literacy is 0.739 of the Gini coefficient. The policy implications are discussed.