Overview
- The OECD released PISA 2025 on Friday showing the lowest average reading score recorded by the test and broad declines of about 20 points in reading and mathematics across many systems, based on more than 760,000 students in 91 countries.
- Several countries reported severe national setbacks: Peru’s 2025 scores fell back to roughly 2015 levels (382 in math, 390 in reading), Mexico ranked near the bottom of OECD members with a notable math decline, and Spain recorded its worst results in the series while officials said Catalonia was excluded for sample irregularities.
- Analysts argue there is no single cause for the drop and point to a mix of long‑term factors including pandemic learning loss, more recreational screen time and nascent AI use, weakened pedagogical rigor, early‑childhood deficits in nutrition and stimulation, and teacher shortages.
- Experts and unions are calling for multi‑year responses that raise learning time, professionalize and stabilize teaching, invest in early childhood services, and restore reliable national diagnostics such as PLANEA and Mejoredu in countries that have removed them.
- Researchers warn the decline will harm young people’s future job prospects and earnings, with concrete local risks already visible—Peru has about 336,000 14–17‑year‑olds not studying—and recovery will be slow and costly without sustained policy commitments.