Question

Based on most literacy rate data, including that of the Middle East, what is the typical relationship between education and a country's standard of living?

Answer 1

They are strongly positively correlated: countries with higher literacy and educational attainment almost always have higher standards of living (higher GDP per capita, better health and employment outcomes). Education builds human capital, raising productivity, wages and social outcomes; conversely wealthier countries can invest more in schooling, so the relationship is mutually reinforcing.

There are exceptions (e.g., some oil-rich states can have high income despite uneven education), but on the whole—including the Middle East—higher literacy ≈ higher standard of living.