While global math scores have seen a historic “unprecedented” drop, a handful of education systems are defying the trend.
In this visualization, we used data from the OECD’s PISA 2022 Results to show which countries have the most students with strong math knowledge.
TL;DR
- Singapore leads global mathematics with a mean score of 575, more than 100 points above the OECD average of 472.
- The United Kingdom (489) trails the average performance by 7 points, while the United States (465) exceeds it by 17.
The bigger picture here is that falling average scores reduce the number of students eligible for advanced STEM pathways.
ALSO READ: Ranked: Global Averages IQ Across Regions
How Countries Rank in Mathematics Performance
Given that the OECD average has an overall mean score in math at 472:
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Rank | Country | Overall mean scores in Mathematics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 1 | Singapore | 575 |
| 2 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 2 | Macao | 552 |
| 3 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 3 | Chinese Tapei | 547 |
| 4 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 4 | Hong Kong | 540 |
| 5 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 5 | Japan | 536 |
| 6 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 6 | Korea | 527 |
| 7 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 7 | Estonia | 510 |
| 8 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 8 | Switzerland | 508 |
| 9 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 9 | Canada | 497 |
| 10 | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | Patience | 10/08/2026 02:06 PM | 10 | Netherlands | 493 |
NOTE: System scoring 425 or above; 46 of 81 participating systems shown.
The Unrivaled Champion
With an overall mean mathematics score of 575, Singapore outperforms every other country by a wide margin.
It’s more than 100 points above the OECD average of 472 and nearly 40 points ahead of the next closest competitor, Macao (552).
But Singapore’s dominance is not just about high averages.
What truly sets it apart is the depth of excellence across its student population.
According to PISA, 41% of Singaporean students reach Levels 5 and 6, the highest proficiency tiers that signal advanced problem-solving, abstract reasoning, and real-world mathematical application.
By comparison, the OECD average for top performers is just 9%, underscoring how rare this level of achievement is globally.
This means Singapore does not merely produce a small elite of math prodigies.
It consistently develops advanced mathematical thinkers at scale.
The Secret Sauce of Success
High-performing countries share structural traits that consistently elevate student outcomes.
In Singapore, investment in teacher quality correlates with striking results.
The country produces 41% of students at Levels 5 and 6, the top PISA proficiency tiers, compared with the OECD average of just 9%.
Curriculum design further amplifies these gains.
Singapore (575), Japan (536), and South Korea (527) emphasize mastery over coverage, ensuring that students build deep conceptual understanding before moving on to abstraction.
ELI5
Singapore stands out in global math because its success is broad, not limited to a few top students.
It scores 575 on PISA, far above the OECD average of 472, with 41% of students reaching advanced levels, compared to 9% elsewhere.
In contrast, countries like the U.S. and U.K. score lower on average, shrinking the future pool of students ready for STEM careers.
Sources
