Rio, December 3, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The report on the situation of the world's population, produced by the UN in partnership with the IBGE, reveals that Brazil had 15 million illiterates, 12.4% of the population, in 2001. According to the IBGE, the number of illiterates remained high despite a general improvement in the schooling of the population during the last decade. Even so, only 34.9% of very young children attend school. On the other hand, the report shows significant progress in the schooling of children 7-14 years old: 96% attend school. Nevertheless, among young people 15-19 years old, of the 92% from the poorest families who finish the first year, only half conclude the fifth year. (DAS)