Information is presented in recognition of the United Nations General Assembly proclamation of 1990 as International Literacy Year (ILY). It is shown that, in 1985, there were an estimated 889 million adult illiterates in the world (more than 25% of the adult population), and more than 100 million children of primary school age in developing nations who were not enrolled in school. The majority of adult illiterates are women, and the highest rate of adult illiteracy is the 54% rate in Africa, compared to 36% in Asia and 17% in Latin America. The Plan of Action for International Literacy Year is reported, along with six UNESCO-endorsed objectives, the role of the UNESCO secretariat, principles of action, mobilization of non-governmental organizations, action by the United Nations Family, major events, and planned publications and documents. Facts and figures about world literacy are illustrated in graphs, maps, and the official ILY logo. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education) (LB)