Boys in England Now Outperforming Girls in Maths and Science, Study Finds

New research reveals a widening gender gap in maths and science achievement, with boys taking the lead for the first time in decades.

A University College London (UCL) study using 2023 data shows boys outperforming girls in maths and science in England, reversing years of near parity.
In Year 9 maths, boys scored an average of 538 compared to 512 for girls, creating a 26-point gap — the largest among 59 participating countries.
Confidence levels were identified as a significant factor, with boys reporting higher confidence in maths and science compared to girls across both Year 5 and Year 9.
Socioeconomic disparities persist, with students from households with fewer educational resources or on free school meals scoring significantly lower in both subjects.
The findings challenge previous narratives of boys falling behind in education and highlight the need for further research to address these gaps and their underlying causes.