Mathematics is an important subject for education, science, technology and everyday life. The latest available international PISA mathematics results show that several Asian education systems continue to achieve very strong results in mathematics.
Top Math-Performing Countries
Based on the latest available PISA 2022 mathematics results, these education systems were among the highest performers:
- Singapore – 575 points
- Macao (China) – 552 points
- Chinese Taipei – 547 points
- Hong Kong (China) – 540 points
- Japan – 536 points
- Korea – 527 points
Singapore recorded the highest average mathematics score in the PISA 2022 assessment.
1. Singapore
Singapore ranked first in mathematics in PISA 2022, with an average score of 575 points. Its students also recorded a high level of achievement in advanced mathematics proficiency.
2. Macao (China)
Macao (China) was another leading performer, recording an average mathematics score of 552 points. Its education system has consistently performed strongly in international assessments.
3. Chinese Taipei
Chinese Taipei achieved an average mathematics score of 547 points. A significant percentage of students reached the highest mathematics proficiency levels.
4. Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong (China) recorded an average score of 540 points. It was also among the education systems with a large share of high-performing mathematics students.
5. Japan
Japan scored 536 points in mathematics. Japanese students performed particularly well in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving.
6. Korea
Korea recorded an average mathematics score of 527 points. A large majority of students reached at least the basic PISA proficiency level.
Why Are These Countries Strong in Mathematics?
Several factors can contribute to strong mathematics performance, including:
- Strong mathematics education
- Regular practice and problem-solving
- Teacher training
- Focus on logical thinking
- Support for STEM education
- High expectations for academic achievement
However, international test scores do not measure every part of a country’s education system.
What Is PISA?
PISA is an international assessment organized by the OECD. It measures how well 15-year-old students can apply knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics and science to real-world situations.
The latest results discussed here are from PISA 2022. They should not be presented as a new 2026 PISA ranking.
Important Note About the 2026 Ranking
The latest available PISA mathematics data used for this comparison comes from 2022, not 2026. Therefore, the figures above are the latest available international PISA results rather than a newly released 2026 ranking.
Why Mathematics Skills Matter
Good mathematics skills can help students develop:
- Logical thinking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Analytical skills
- Financial understanding
- Science and technology skills
- Strong STEM foundations
FAQs
1. Which country is best at mathematics?
Singapore recorded the highest mathematics score in the latest available PISA results.
2. What is Singapore’s math score?
Singapore scored 575 points in PISA 2022 mathematics.
3. Which countries are strong in mathematics?
Singapore, Macao, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea were among the highest-performing education systems.
4. Is this a 2026 math ranking?
The comparison uses the latest available PISA mathematics data from 2022.
5. What is PISA?
PISA is an international education assessment conducted by the OECD.
6. What age group does PISA test?
PISA mainly assesses students around 15 years old.
7. Why is mathematics important?
Mathematics helps students develop logical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills.
8. Which region has many top math performers?
Several East Asian education systems were among the highest performers in the latest PISA mathematics results.
