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Scientists assessed the level of scientific literacy in our country by conducting a short test of 11 questions among the respondents, where it was necessary to mark false and true statements. It turned out that since 1996 the level of knowledge has grown significantly
What’s going on
- HSE ISSEK analysts have summed up the results of another regular survey of our countries in terms of their scientific literacy. The final data was subsequently compared with the results of the first survey in 1996.
- To simple questions – does the Earth revolve around the Sun, does human activity affect climate change, is the center of the Earth hot, is the electron of an atom smaller – the respondents mostly answered correctly. 70–93% of answers were correct.
- In the case of specialized and debatable questions, there are fewer correct answers. Thus, 51% of respondents answered that in psychology it is possible to conduct a scientific experiment, as in physics (which is the correct answer). 30% believe the opposite, and 19% found it difficult to answer.
- Mistakes are common in matters relating to human health: vaccination, radiation, GMOs. Thus, 30% consider the statement “Vaccinations much more often lead to retardation in the development of children than scientists and doctors say” to be true. 22% found it difficult to answer this question.
- According to the results of 2020, 14% of respondents were with a low level of scientific literacy (less than 5 correct answers out of 11), 61% – medium (5 – 8 correct answers) and 25% – high (more than 8 correct answers).
- In the 1996 study, only the first 5 of 11 questions were repeated: then the share of correct answers to them was 13–48%, but now it is 41–83%.
- Scientific literacy is related to the level of education and the type of locality where the respondent lives. Thus, 39% of respondents with higher education have a high level of scientific literacy, those with secondary education and below — 16% and 15%, respectively. Among respondents from regional centers – 33%, from villages – 16% and from urban settlements – 14%.
- The indicators among men and women also differ: the high level of scientific literacy among men was 28% (34% in large cities), among women – 23% (27% in large cities).
What does it mean
In our country, not only the level of scientific literacy is growing, but also digital and financial. According to NAFI, in 2020 the share of our countries with a basic level of digital literacy was 70%. This is 4 p.p. higher than in 2019. At the same time, the advanced level of digital competencies has not changed. In both 2019 and 2020, it was 27%.
In terms of financial literacy, between 2018 and 2022, the proportion of people with a low level of it decreased from 44% to 29%. In addition, 82% of our countries in 2022 began to more closely monitor the state of their finances, although in 2018 this figure was 70%.
At the same time, the level of legal literacy of the population has decreased. If in 2018 the legal literacy index was 54 p.p. out of 100, then in 2020 – 47 p.p. There are also fewer people who want to learn about their rights and their protection – their number has decreased from 65% to 48%.