What can be assumed about East Asian countries with a high literacy rate

the population lives and works in urban areas.

the population has a comfortable standard of living among the middle class.

the country has an agricultural based economy.

the country has strong public schooling.

The answer is The population has a comfortable standard of living among the middle class. When you have lower standard of living, most people will most likely to think that higher education or effort is somehow unnecessary.

This will make people more relax in handling their money and make them less motivated to study and obtain new knowledge.