This article explores the quality of life of adults with poor literacy capabilities (reading, writing and numeracy) in western Rwanda. A concurrent mixed methods research design was used. Data was collected from respondents aged 18 years and over through a survey and focus group discussions. Quantitative results from linear regression analysis indicate a clear relationship between literacy and life satisfaction in that literacy has a direct and indirect path to explaining quality of life. Qualitative results from thematic analysis identify three main pathways in which subjective quality of life is impacted by illiteracy or low literacy capabilities, namely: economic, familial, intrapersonal and interpersonal. Access to, and participation in, quality adult literacy education has the potential to enhancing subjective quality of life by developing relevant literacy capabilities in individuals.