Functional scientific literacy refers to the ability to apply scientific knowledge and principles to everyday situations, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about health, technology, and the environment. Several factors influence this form of literacy, including educational background, socioeconomic status, access to resources, and cultural context.

Educational background plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's functional scientific literacy. A strong foundation in science education, particularly in early schooling, fosters critical thinking skills and an understanding of scientific concepts. Curricula that emphasize inquiry-based learning, hands-on experiments, and real-world applications can enhance students' ability to relate scientific knowledge to everyday life. Moreover, teacher quality and their ability to engage students in scientific discourse significantly affect students' interest and competence in science.

Socioeconomic status also impacts functional scientific literacy. Individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds often have greater access to quality education, resources, and extracurricular opportunities that promote scientific understanding. In contrast, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may face barriers such as underfunded schools, limited access to technology, and fewer opportunities for enrichment activities. This disparity can lead to differences in scientific knowledge and the ability to apply it effectively in daily life.

Access to resources, including libraries, the internet, and community programs, is another important factor influencing functional scientific literacy. Individuals who can access diverse sources of information are better equipped to understand scientific issues and engage with scientific content critically. Furthermore, the availability of educational materials and community outreach programs can facilitate lifelong learning and encourage curiosity about scientific topics.

Lastly, cultural context shapes how individuals perceive and relate to science. Cultural beliefs, values, and norms can influence attitudes toward science and technology, affecting the willingness to engage with scientific concepts. In some cultures, traditional knowledge systems may coexist with scientific understanding, leading to unique ways of interpreting scientific information. Recognizing and respecting these cultural influences is essential for promoting functional scientific literacy across diverse populations.

In addition, functional scientific literacy is influenced by a myriad of factors, including educational background, socioeconomic status, access to resources, and cultural context. Understanding these influences is crucial for developing effective strategies to enhance scientific literacy in diverse populations and empower individuals to make informed decisions in an increasingly complex world.

The foundation of scientific literacy is laid by the educationists for different age groups of the students. At the same time how this scientific literacy will affect their behavior (in positive sense) and going to bring a change at social level , climatic conditions level , economic scenario , conservation of resources etc......will be known as Functional scientific literacy.

"The ability to properly process scientific knowledge and expand it with one's own understanding influences functional literacy. This requires the ability to correctly comprehend research materials, form one's own opinions and conclusions, and critically evaluate information."