China is making significant strides in enhancing its scientific literacy, with the latest survey from the China Association for Science and Technology revealing a rate of 14.14% in 2023. This represents a 1.21-percentage-point increase from the previous year, showcasing an encouraging upward trend.
The 13th China Citizens' Scientific Literacy Survey highlights a balanced nationwide improvement, narrowing the gaps between eastern, central, and western regions for the first time. Women, in particular, have shown remarkable progress, rapidly increasing their scientific literacy and contributing to a reduced gender gap.
Rural areas are also witnessing faster growth in scientific literacy compared to urban regions, further diminishing the urban-rural divide. Achieving a scientific literacy rate of at least 10% is considered essential for cultivating an innovative scientific and technological workforce, a benchmark China surpassed in 2020 with a rate of 10.56%.
The growth observed in 2023 is especially notable given China's status as a large developing nation, laying a strong foundation for its emergence as a leader in innovation. However, there is still room for improvement, as China's scientific literacy rate remains below those of major developed countries, where rates typically range from 20 to 30 percent. Continued efforts are necessary to bridge this gap and solidify China's position among the world's most innovative nations.
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China's scientific literacy rate reaches 14.14%, with an upward trend
cgtn.com
