Policies that Strengthen Foundational Skills and Relevant Competencies Needed: OECD 2025 PISA Results

The OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges. The 2025 PISA Assessment involving more than 760,000 students across 91 countries shows that overall achievement across many OECD countries has continued to decline, reaching the lowest average levels ever recorded in science, mathematics, and reading, while science performance remained broadly stable. Importantly for business, PISA 2025 presents new evidence on the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools for schoolwork, as well as to present data beyond student performance around mindsets, attitudes and learner agency in today’s environment. It emphasises skills and attitudes needed for lifelong learning, and the importance of upskilling and reskilling - where business plays a critical role, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in core subjects and the ability to apply that knowledge when solving problems with digital tools. Socio-economic background also continues to be a strong predictor of success.

Business at OECD's Education Committee Chair and Kerry's Kate Brosnan stated,"The latest PISA results underscore the urgent need for policies that strengthen foundational skills and relevant competencies, including to ensure that digital and AI technologies enhance rather than hinder learning. Business remains committed to increasing partnership with educators and learning systems to ensure alignment of curricula and outcomes with labour market demands in today’s rapidly evolving learning and work environments."

Read the OECD’s publication here: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/pisa-2025-results-volume-i_73451bc5-en.html.