the graph shows the percentage of 15 years old with low literacy level in four countries

Presented for the consideration is a graph showing the percentage of 15-year-olds in four nations that have low literacy ( reading and writing) skills from 2000 to 2009. Overall, it can be seen that Denmark had the highest percentage in the first year, while Ireland had the lowest. Nevertheless, the rates of three countries increased in the next nine years, while Denmark saw a gradual decrease in the same period. Looking at the figures in further detail, it is evident that the rate of fifteen years old with low literacy in Denmark in 2000 was the highest at around 18%. However, this number steadily declined during the period time and became the lowest at 15% in 2009. By contrast, the total of 15-year-olds in Ireland who are illiterate was the lowest, with just a small increase during the first six years. But there was a moderate rise from around 12% to around 17% between 2006 and 2009. On the other hand, the number in Austria jumped quite fast between 2000 and 2003 and reached a peak at nearly 30% in 2009. In Sweden, there was the same increasing trend, though at a lower pace. It slightly went up throughout the period time and reached the same level with the Ireland at around 17% in 2009.