Forbes Magazine: Readers Earn $1 Million More in Their Lifetimes
Most of us know that learning to read is important. But what if I told you that your ability—or your child’s ability—to read well could literally be worth a million dollars?
That’s not an exaggeration. According to Forbes Magazine, people who can read proficiently will earn $1 million more in their lifetimes than non-readers. When we step back and consider the ripple effects of literacy on income, employment, and even health, it becomes clear: literacy is not just a skill. It’s an asset that shapes your entire life.
In this article, we’ll break down what Forbes and the U.S. Department of Education found about literacy, why it matters so much for financial success, and how programs like Nardagani are stepping up to combat illiteracy for both children and adults.
The Shocking Truth About Literacy in America
In 2020, Forbes reported on a U.S. Department of Education study that revealed a staggering statistic: more than half of U.S. adults (ages 16 to 74) lack proficiency in literacy.
Think about that for a moment. We live in one of the wealthiest, most technologically advanced countries in the world, and yet over 50% of adults struggle to read at a level needed for daily life and work.
Proficiency isn’t just about being able to sound out words. It’s about comprehension—understanding what you read, applying it, and using it in your job, your household, and your community. Without it, opportunities are limited.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Forbes outlined some key findings that show just how costly low literacy is—both for individuals and for society as a whole:
Adults who reach Level 3 proficiency in literacy earn about $63,000 per year on average.
Adults at Level 0 or 1 proficiency earn about $34,000 per year—almost half.
That’s a difference of nearly $30,000 per year. Over a 40-year career, that gap adds up to more than $1 million in lost income.
But it’s not just individual families who feel the impact. A study conducted by Gallup on behalf of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy found that low adult literacy costs the U.S. economy as much as $2.2 trillion annually.
That number is almost too big to comprehend. It means billions of dollars lost in productivity, health care costs, unemployment benefits, and lost tax revenue—all because millions of adults struggle to read.
Why Literacy Equals Economic Success
The connection between reading skills and financial outcomes isn’t random. Here’s why literacy has such a powerful impact:
1. Literacy Opens the Door to Better Jobs
Most jobs today—even entry-level ones—require reading. Whether it’s filling out an application, reading safety manuals, or managing emails, reading is essential. Without it, job opportunities shrink dramatically.
2. Higher Literacy = Higher Income
Employers value workers who can understand instructions, problem-solve, and communicate effectively. All of these skills depend on reading. That’s why literacy levels correlate directly with income levels.
3. Literacy Improves Health
Research shows that people with higher literacy levels are healthier. Why? Because they can read prescriptions, understand doctor’s instructions, and access reliable health information. Healthy workers miss fewer days, stay in the workforce longer, and contribute more economically.
4. Literacy Strengthens Families
Parents who can read well are more likely to read to their children, creating a positive cycle of literacy that carries into the next generation. Without this, cycles of poverty and low educational attainment repeat themselves.
5. Literacy Supports Democracy
It’s not just about jobs and money. Reading empowers people to participate in society—understanding ballots, engaging in civic debates, and making informed decisions. Without it, citizens are left on the sidelines.
In short: reading is the foundation of opportunity.
The Hidden Cost of Low Literacy
Low literacy doesn’t just reduce income—it limits every aspect of life. Adults with limited reading skills often face:
Difficulty managing finances, from budgeting to understanding loan terms.
Struggles with technology, since most apps and websites assume a baseline reading ability.
Barriers to career advancement, since promotions often require written communication skills.
Challenges in parenting, such as helping children with homework.
Higher risks of poor health outcomes due to misunderstandings of medical information.
And perhaps most heartbreaking of all: the shame and frustration of not being able to engage fully in society.
Breaking the Cycle of Illiteracy
Low literacy doesn’t just affect one person. It ripples through families and communities. Parents who struggle to read are less likely to read to their children, making it harder for those children to succeed in school. This creates a multigenerational cycle of limited opportunities.
But the good news is: literacy can be learned at any age. And when one person breaks through, it often changes the trajectory for their entire family.
How the Nardagani Reading Program Helps
This is where the Nardagani Reading Program steps in. Designed to support struggling readers of all ages—including those with diagnosed reading disabilities, students on IEPs, and ESL learners—Nardagani provides a clear, structured way to learn how to read.
Here’s what sets it apart:
12 Simple Symbols. Nardagani uses a coding system of 12 easy-to-learn symbols that make decoding English words faster and less intimidating.
Proven Methods. Literacy specialists, middle school teachers, and ESL instructors report real results with their students.
Flexible Formats. The program includes online lessons, printable worksheets, and optional printed books for hands-on practice.
Accessible to All Ages. Whether it’s a child who hates reading, a teen with dyslexia, or an adult learning English, Nardagani adapts.
Confidence-Building. By giving learners quick wins, the program helps them build momentum and rediscover the joy of reading.
Real Stories of Transformation
Behind every statistic is a person. Here are a few examples of how literacy changes lives:
A middle school boy who hated reading. His parents completed the Nardagani Teacher Training in just two hours. With the program, their son fell in love with reading—and with it, his confidence in school soared.
An adult ESL learner. Tired of struggling to communicate at work, she used Nardagani to strengthen her English reading. Within months, she was promoted to a higher-paying position because she could handle written instructions with ease.
A child with dyslexia. After years of frustration, the Nardagani system finally clicked. With the symbols as a guide, reading went from overwhelming to manageable.
Each of these stories points to the same truth: literacy is the gateway to opportunity.
Literacy as an Investment in Your Future
Think of reading skills as an investment. Just as you might invest money in a savings account to watch it grow over time, investing in literacy creates dividends—higher income, better health, stronger families, and fuller participation in society.
If you could spend a few hours learning a system that would give you or your child a million-dollar advantage in life, wouldn’t you? That’s the power of raising literacy levels.
How You Can Get Started
The first step is simple: explore the Nardagani Reading Program. You’ll find everything you need to begin the journey toward stronger reading skills:
A Masterclass that explains the system.
Access to online lessons and practice materials.
Optional printed books for consistent, at-home practice.
Inspiration from Narda Pitkethly’s TEDx Talk, “A New Way to Learn to Read English.”
It’s time to stop letting literacy—or the lack of it—hold you back.
Conclusion: A Million-Dollar Difference
The data is clear. Forbes, Gallup, and the U.S. Department of Education all point to the same conclusion: literacy is directly tied to income, health, and opportunity. Adults who can read at proficient levels earn, on average, $1 million more in their lifetimes than those who cannot.
But beyond the money, literacy is about freedom. The freedom to pursue the career you want, to provide for your family, to engage in society, and to live the life you deserve.
The Nardagani Reading Program is here to make that possible—for children, adults, and families everywhere.
👉 Click here to learn more about the Nardagani Reading Program, take our Masterclass, and watch Narda’s TEDx Talk, “A New Way to Learn to Read English.”
Your future—or your child’s future—is worth it.
TEDx Talk by Founder: Watch Here
Website: https://www.nardagani.com
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Google Play Link: Play Store
Promotional Video: Watch Here
Click here to learn more about the Nardagani Reading Program, take our Masterclass, and watch Narda’s TEDx talk, “A New Way to Learn to Read English.”
