Italian pupils are making progress in science, reading and maths (exceeding the OECD average)

In science, the main focus of Pisa 2025, Italian students scored 483 points, with the OECD average standing at 482. They also performed better in reading, where they scored 474 points, compared with the average of 461 for other industrialised countries. This is according to the latest results from the OECD’s PISA tests on the skills of 15-year-old pupils compared with 2022.

“For the first time, we are significantly above the international average. Italia’s average score is higher than that of Finland, a system which has long been one of the leading international benchmarks in this field,” comments the Minister for Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara.

In mathematics, we achieve better results than France, Germany, the US and Sweden. Italia’s score is 468 points, compared with an OECD average of 463. The proportion of pupils achieving at least the basic level is also slightly higher than the OECD average.

The survey also confirms that the disparities between the north and south of the country have narrowed.

“The positive signs already evident in the latest Invalsi survey have been confirmed. The Italian school system has proved to be a robust one. In a complex context, which has seen several countries fall behind in a worrying manner, our school system has been able to address critical issues, whilst also managing to narrow the long-standing gaps between the North and the South. We are becoming a major international benchmark, leaving old prejudices behind us. We will continue along the path we have set out on to strengthen measures supporting teachers and pupils,” the minister concluded.