Poland maintains top European ranks in PISA 2025 as OECD averages decline

Results across core subjects

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development presented the results of the PISA 2025 study on 8 September 2026, assessing more than 760,000 15-year-old students across 91 countries and economies. In Poland, where 7,103 students from 217 schools participated between 3 March and 25 April 2025, teenagers achieved scores above international benchmarks in all three core subjects. In science reasoning, the primary focus of the 2025 cycle, Polish students scored an average of 495 points, compared with the European Union average of 476 points and the OECD average of 482 points. In mathematics, Polish students reached an average of 484 points against the EU average of 460 and the OECD average of 463 points. In reading comprehension, Poland recorded 482 points, exceeding the EU average of 451 points and the OECD average of 461 points.

European standings and international benchmarks

Within the European Union, Poland placed near the top across all tested categories. Polish students ranked second in mathematics behind Estonia, and third in reading comprehension behind Ireland and Estonia. In science reasoning, only Estonia and Finland recorded statistically superior results within the bloc. Poland also scored 7 points above the OECD average in the assessment section measuring problem-solving using computer tools. East Asian countries and regions continued to achieve the highest overall scores globally across all categories.

Stabilization following post-pandemic declines

While average scores across OECD member nations dropped to the lowest levels recorded in the study, Poland stabilized its performance relative to the 2022 assessment cycle. Polish point averages decreased slightly compared with 2022, falling by 7 points in reading, 5 points in mathematics, and 4 points in science, though none of these changes were statistically significant. By comparison, average OECD scores fell by 14 points in reading, 9 points in mathematics, and 3 points in science over the same period. Despite holding steady since 2022, Polish student outcomes remain lower than those achieved in 2018 and roughly match levels from the early 2000s. Educational Research Institute director Maciej Jakubowski evaluated the trends during the Warsaw conference.

Polish students obtained significantly better results than their peers. Depending on the field, 13 to 31 points higher than the averages for EU and OECD countries. The achievements of Polish students are similar to those of 2022. This stabilization is good news, but returning to the level Polish 15-year-olds had in 2018 is still a long way off.

Wellbeing indicators and domestic structural debates

Beyond academic testing, the survey gathered data on student wellbeing, social relations, and learning environments. In Poland, one in four 15-year-olds failed to achieve basic mathematical proficiency, while 38% of respondents reported that they consider school a waste of time. Poland also ranked last internationally in student perseverance. Polish Minister of National Education Barbara Nowacka addressed these challenges and cited structural factors, including the long-term impact of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and the earlier abolition of middle schools.

I would like you to pay attention to how important political stability around education is, where changes are consensual and uninterrupted, rather than rapid reforms, such as the liquidation of junior high schools in our country. Education requires discipline, significant guidance of students by teachers.