Fifteen-year-olds in Northern Ireland have seen their performance in reading and mathematics slip significantly over the past ten years, according to the latest international assessment results released on 8 September 2026. The Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), administered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), revealed that while Northern Ireland maintains strong performance in science globally, the trajectory in literacy and numeracy presents what education officials describe as a concerning trend requiring urgent attention.
The education minister has characterised the findings as a watershed moment for the region's schooling system. Around 3,500 teenagers from 104 Northern Ireland schools participated in the computer-based tests during September and October 2025, contributing to a global dataset of approximately 750,000 students across 91 countries.
According to the Department of Education's analysis, the results signal a "significant downward trend" in reading and mathematics since 2015. The department noted that 30% of pupils now fall below baseline Level 2 proficiency in mathematics, a sharp increase from 19% a decade earlier.
How did Northern Ireland perform in each subject?
Northern Ireland achieved an average science score of 492, placing the region comfortably within the top third of participating nations. This result showed no statistically significant change from the 2015 assessment, suggesting the region has maintained its competitive position in scientific knowledge and skills.
The reading score of 482, while respectable compared to many international peers, represented a meaningful decline from the 497 recorded in 2015. Mathematics performance followed a similar pattern, with an average of 473 compared to a higher result a decade earlier. However, according to Oxford's education faculty, Northern Ireland's mathematics score remained stable relative to the international decline, suggesting the region bucked a global downward trend in numeracy.
Gender disparities emerged in the data, with girls substantially outperforming boys in reading assessments. Science and mathematics results showed no significant gender gap.
The results also underscored the persistent influence of family economic circumstances on educational outcomes. Pupils from more affluent households consistently achieved higher scores across all three subjects. Additionally, pupils eligible for Free School Meals scored significantly below non-eligible pupils in science, reading and mathematics, highlighting entrenched educational inequality.
How does Northern Ireland compare to other UK nations and Ireland?
Northern Ireland's performance positioned it ahead of Wales but broadly comparable to Scotland. England, however, achieved higher average scores across all three disciplines. The Republic of Ireland outperformed all UK nations, recording superior results in reading, science and mathematics.
Globally, the highest-performing education systems were concentrated in Asia, with Singapore, China, Taiwan and Japan leading international rankings. The Pisa report also documented a worldwide decline in teenagers' reading proficiency, a trend that has prompted international concern about literacy standards.
What role is technology playing in student learning?
The Pisa assessment gathered data on how students approach their studies and their experiences in school. Across all 91 participating countries, nearly half of students (46%) reported using artificial intelligence chatbots weekly or more frequently as a learning tool. This widespread adoption of AI for educational purposes represents a significant shift in study habits among this age group.
Digital distractions in classrooms remain a concern, with over a quarter of students (28%) reporting that classmates were distracted by digital devices during lessons. This tension between technology as an educational resource and as a source of classroom disruption reflects broader challenges facing modern education systems.
What have education leaders said about these results?
Education Minister Paul Givan characterised the Pisa findings as a
"wake-up call"for Northern Ireland's education system. In his formal response, he stated:
"While Northern Ireland remains a strong-performing education system by international standards, we should not confuse relative success with sufficient progress. Whilst pupils in Northern Ireland continue to perform well against other international education systems, it is clear that education systems across the world are facing significant challenges and Northern Ireland is no exception."
Givan indicated that the results vindicated several reforms his department had already initiated, suggesting the government views policy changes as essential to reversing the downward trajectory in reading and mathematics.
Dr Graham Gault, National Secretary of NAHT Northern Ireland, acknowledged that while Northern Ireland's overall standing remained respectable internationally, the data revealed troubling patterns.
"The results show clear signs of pressure within the system, including declining performance in some areas and continuing attainment gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their peers,"he said.
"These findings come against a backdrop of severe budget constraints, increasing demands on schools and growing concerns around pupil wellbeing. Maintaining high standards becomes ever more difficult when schools are being asked to do more with less."
Gault emphasised that
"persistent inequalities and funding pressures must not be ignored", linking the academic performance decline to resource constraints facing schools across the region.
What happens next?
The Northern Ireland Department of Education has published comprehensive materials responding to the Pisa 2025 results and has made the full national report available to schools and policymakers. The department describes the findings as evidence of a "continued need to tackle educational underachievement" and has indicated that further analysis and follow-up publications will be released through its dedicated Pisa materials page.
The results provide a baseline for monitoring whether recent and planned education reforms will reverse the decade-long decline in reading and mathematics performance.
Key Facts
- Northern Ireland's reading score fell from 497 in 2015 to 482 in 2025; mathematics declined similarly over the same period
- Science performance remained stable at 492, placing Northern Ireland in the top third globally
- Thirty percent of Northern Ireland pupils now score below baseline proficiency in mathematics, up from 19% in 2015
- Nearly half of all students surveyed globally (46%) use AI chatbots weekly or more for learning
- Family income and eligibility for Free School Meals significantly influence pupil achievement across all three subjects
