OECD PISA report excludes Catalonia due to sample irregularities

The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) evaluates the competencies of 15-year-old students in mathematics, reading, and science. While Spain has generally maintained scores near the OECD average, recent data shows moderate declines in certain areas. In the 2022 results, Spain scored 473 in mathematics, 474 in reading, and 485 in science.

Reports indicate that Catalonia has been excluded from the upcoming 2025 PISA cycle due to sample irregularities. Specifically, the exclusion stems from a high student exclusion rate of 23.3%, significantly exceeding the legal maximum of 5%, alongside absenteeism rates exceeding 30%. This stands in contrast to other Spanish autonomous communities, such as the Basque Country, which comply with the required exclusion indices.