OECD PISA results show academic declines in Canada and Italy

Recent results from the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reveal significant academic trends and declines across several nations, including Canada and Italy.

In Canada, while students still score above the OECD average in math, reading, and science, there has been a substantial decline over the last 20 years. Between 2006 and 2025, reading scores dropped by 37 points and math scores by 42 points, representing a loss of approximately two grade levels in proficiency.

In Italy, the data highlights a complex educational landscape. While Italian students maintain scores above the international average, there is a notable downward trend in reading, math, and science skills within the OECD area. Furthermore, reports indicate that Italian university graduates face a smaller economic advantage compared to peers in other OECD countries, with a salary premium of only 35% compared to the OECD average of 54%.

Globally, the PISA 2025 data shows a decline in reading proficiency. The share of accurate and fluent readers has decreased, while the proportion of “hasty readers”—those who respond quickly but often incorrectly—has risen from 6.6% to 11.4% across 35 comparable OECD countries.