UK Falls Behind Singapore in Latest OECD PISA Education Rankings

Singapore has maintained its position as the global leader in education, topping the latest rankings in maths, reading, and science, according to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). East Asian countries continue to dominate the global educational landscape, with Singapore at the forefront.

Meanwhile, the UK has seen a decline in its performance across all three subjects, although it still remains above the OECD average. Among the UK nations, England emerged as the highest performer, while Wales ranked the lowest.

PISA, conducted every three years, is a key global benchmark of education systems. The 2022 edition, delayed due to Covid-19, tested nearly 700,000 15-year-olds across 81 OECD member countries and partner economies. This round also provided insights into student performance, well-being, and equity before and after the pandemic.

Unlike traditional assessments, PISA emphasizes students’ understanding of concepts rather than curriculum memorization. Participants took two one-hour tests focusing on different subjects like reading, maths, science, or creative thinking.