High North News

Nordic students performing worse in school

Trine Jonassen
education

As early as 2022, results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed a decline in performance levels across the Nordic countries.

Students in all Nordic countries scored significantly lower than in the previous assessment, although they remained above the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average in all three subject areas. This trend continues in the latest assessment, published on September 8, 2026.

Results have declined across the Nordic region, continuing a negative trend observed over the past decade. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden have all recorded their lowest scores in reading and mathematics since PISA assessments began.

While some figures remain above the PISA average, this trend points to a worrying development. The same applies to other OECD countries, where scores for mathematics and reading skills have never been lower.

View the results here.

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