Scotland significantly outperforms OECD average in four areas – but falls behind England
Scotland performed significantly above the OECD average in science, reading, computational problem-solving and environmental science, according to the latest international assessment of 15-year-olds’ knowledge and skills.
The 2025 PISA study found that Scotland has held a competitive international position, as reading and maths have declined across the OECD as a whole. Scotland’s maths performance was similar to the OECD average and similar to the 2022 survey.
The PISA 2025 Scotland Report also found:
- the relationship between pupils’ socio-economic background and performance was weaker than in 2022 in science and maths, and significantly weaker in reading than in every previous PISA cycle
- young people have a positive attitude to school and feel they belong there, with 90% saying their science teacher helped them in every or most lessons, and gave extra help when needed
- Scotland’s overall performance was stable, while many other countries saw decline
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “PISA 2025 shows real strengths in Scottish education, as well as areas we’re already working to improve. The Curriculum Improvement Cycle is the largest change to Scotland’s curriculum in over ten years, which will be fully rolled out with the teaching profession by August 2028.
“These results demonstrate that Scotland’s education system is competitive by international standards, performing above the OECD average on four measures out of five. Scotland has stabilised its international performance, which is very welcome, alongside the significant weakening in the relationship between learners’ socio-economic background and performance, particularly in reading.
“This comes just weeks after this year’s Qualifications Scotland results, which showed a narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap compared to both 2025 and pre-pandemic 2019, and increased pass rates at National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers.
“While recognising the positives, these results also underline the need for change in certain areas – change that I intend to lead in the coming period to ensure excellence and equity for all Scotland’s young people.”