When you write, explain, or sell something, it’s easy to assume people will understand what you mean. After all, it’s the United States — one of the most educated countries in the world, right? But here’s the surprising truth: a huge percentage of Americans struggle to read and process even basic information.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, around 21% of adults in America are functionally illiterate — meaning they can’t read or understand material written at a sixth-grade level. That’s roughly 43 million people who struggle with everyday tasks like reading a prescription label, filling out a form, or understanding a contract.
And it doesn’t stop there. Even among the remaining population, literacy and comprehension levels vary wildly. Many adults can read words but can’t process complex writing — especially long, abstract, or jargon-filled sentences. In fact, studies have found that nearly half of American adults read at or below an eighth-grade level.
That means if you’re trying to reach people — whether through writing, marketing, teaching, or business — simplicity isn’t optional; it’s essential.The clearer and more direct your message, the more people you reach. The more technical, clever, or verbose you get, the faster you lose them.
Simple wins.
Every time.If your goal is to be understood, not to impress, then clarity will always outperform complexity.
Because if 1 in 5 people can’t read beyond a sixth-grade level, and half the rest prefer simplicity — that means nearly everyone benefits when you keep things short, clear, and easy to follow.