Archive · 25 Sep 2026
China Leads PISA 2025 Science Rankings as Asia Dominates
PISA 2025 compared science results for students in many countries and economies.
China had the highest average score.
Singapore came second, followed by Macao, Taiwan and Japan.
Asian education systems took most of the highest places.
Estonia was the best-performing European participant.
The United States ranked 13th and scored above the OECD average.
The results show that small score differences may not always be meaningful.
The article also gives conflicting information about whether Australia shared 10th place with New Zealand.
China ranked first in science with an average PISA score of 597, ahead of Singapore’s 560.
Macao, Taiwan and Japan completed the top five, while six Asian systems placed in the top seven.
Estonia was Europe’s highest-ranked participant, placing sixth with a score of 527.
The United States ranked 13th with a score of 502, above the OECD average of 482 but behind Canada.
More than 760,000 students from 91 countries and economies participated, though the article inconsistently says Australia tied New Zealand for 10th while its table lists only New Zealand.
- Who
- More than 760,000 15-year-old students from 91 countries and economies participated in PISA 2025.
- What
- The ranking compares average science scores, with China in first place and Singapore second.
- When
- The results are identified as PISA 2025.
- Where
- The assessment covered 91 countries and economies worldwide.
- Why
- The ranking presents international science performance using PISA average scores.
- Participants
- More than 760,000 students across 91 countries and economies
- Students represented
- Around 33 million 15-year-olds worldwide
- Top performer
- China, with a science score of 597
- Second place
- Singapore, with a science score of 560
- Highest-ranked European participant
- Estonia, in sixth place with 527
- United States
- 13th place with a score of 502
- OECD average
- 482
- Caution
- The OECD said relatively small score differences may not be statistically significant