SCOTLAND holds a “competitive position” in education, a new international study shows.
However, reading and maths have declined as a whole, according to new results released by the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa).
The international study records the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds and is co-ordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Scotland has taken part in every cycle of the study since 2000 – with 115 schools and colleges, and 3066 pupils across the country taking part in Pisa 2025.
In Scotland, performance in science, mathematics and reading did not change significantly between 2022 and 2025 – with mathematics and reading declining in line with OECD results overall.
Previous longer-term declines seen in all three domains did not continue in the latest Pisa cycle, although performance remains significantly below that achieved in a number of earlier cycles.
Scotland performed particularly strongly in computational problem solving, with almost three in 10 pupils reaching the two highest proficiency levels.
Out of the four UK nations, England ranked first for each of the three core subject areas. Scotland was found to have performed similarly to Northern Ireland, while Wales ranked last.
Education Secretary Mairi 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 10 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.”
The new data found that pupils from more advantaged socio-economic backgrounds continued to perform better on average.
However, 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.
McAllan said the new Qualification Scotland results also showed a narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap.
She continued: “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.”
