Archive · 21 Sep 2026
PISA 2025 Finds Major Declines in Reading, Mathematics
A worldwide test called PISA checked how well 15-year-old students are learning.
More than 760,000 students from 91 countries and economies took part.
Students did much worse in reading and mathematics than students did in earlier tests.
Reading scores fell the most, while mathematics scores also dropped significantly.
Science scores stayed about the same between 2022 and 2025.
About one in five students did not reach basic skill levels in reading, mathematics, and science.
Students from wealthier backgrounds generally scored higher than students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The OECD said the differences became smaller partly because higher-performing students did worse.
It also said the decline cannot be blamed only on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Computers and artificial intelligence may help students, but they should not replace attention, effort, and understanding.
PISA 2025 assessed more than 760,000 15-year-olds across 91 countries and economies.
Average OECD reading scores fell 28 points between 2015 and 2025, equivalent to about one and a half years of learning.
Average mathematics scores declined 22 points over the same period, representing more than one year of learning.
Science performance was broadly stable from 2022 to 2025, although one in five OECD students is now a low performer across the three subjects.
The OECD said socioeconomic disparities remain significant and that digital technology and artificial intelligence should support, not replace, student learning.
- Who
- More than 760,000 15-year-old students from 91 countries and economies, assessed through the OECD's PISA program.
- What
- PISA 2025 reported major declines in OECD reading and mathematics scores, while science performance remained relatively stable from 2022 to 2025.
- When
- The results were released on September 8; reading comparisons cover 2015 to 2025.
- Where
- Across 91 countries and economies, including OECD countries.
- Why
- The assessment examined student achievement and factors affecting education, including socioeconomic background and the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence.
- Assessment
- Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025
- Participants
- More than 760,000 15-year-old students
- Coverage
- 91 countries and economies
- Reading change
- OECD average fell 28 points from 2015 to 2025
- Mathematics change
- OECD average fell 22 points from 2015 to 2025
- Low performers
- Around one in five OECD 15-year-olds is a low performer in science, mathematics, and reading
- Science trend
- The OECD average changed little between 2022 and 2025
- Technology guidance
- Digital technology and artificial intelligence should complement, not replace, learning