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Measuring the Spatial Pattern of Illiteracy Problem in Iraq-2007

Keywords: spatial autocorrelation; illiteracy; mapping; global and local Moran statistics; governorates of Iraq

Although many studies examined the existence of spatial pattern of illiteracy problem in developing countries in improving the culture level or social status and reducing the inequalities in illiteracy between areas of such country, there is still much work to be done. The objective was to investigate the spatial structure of illiteracy percentage across different governorates to provide implications for policy makers, investigating the hot spots of illiteracy, and showing visual picture for illiteracy. The study utilized cross-sectional census data for 18 governorates collected in 2007. Mapping was used as a first step to conduct visual inspection for illiteracy using quartiles. Two statistics of spatial autocorrelation, known as global and local Moran's Ii, were carried out for examining the global clustering and local clusters respectively. The global clustering was found in illiteracy and it was confirmed by the significant local Moran's Ii, statistic. Out of 18, four governorates were found as local clusters in illiteracy. In conclusion, the illiteracy varied across different governorates with black spots in northern, western, and southern parts of the country.