Türkiye has recorded the largest score increases among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in all three areas assessed by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025, according to results released by the OECD.
The assessment covered 91 countries and economies and evaluated the skills of 15-year-old students in science, reading and mathematics.
Türkiye has participated in PISA since 2003.
The 2025 assessment was conducted digitally between April 14 and May 16 across 203 schools in 56 Turkish provinces, involving 7,702 students from 12 regions.
Türkiye posts gains across all three subjects
Türkiye's scores increased in every field compared with 2022. Its overall ranking among participating countries rose by 15 places in science, 18 in reading and 11 in mathematics.
Türkiye scored 494 in science, 472 in reading and 462 in mathematics in PISA 2025.
Compared with its first participation in 2003, Türkiye improved its science score by 60 points, reading by 31 points and mathematics by 39 points.
While average education performance has declined in both the OECD and globally since 2003, Türkiye's scores have moved in the opposite direction.
Türkiye climbs OECD rankings
Among the 38 OECD members, Türkiye ranked 14th in science, 13th in reading and 23rd in mathematics.
The Ministry of National Education said Türkiye was the only OECD country to increase its scores in all three areas over the past decade. It also recorded the largest score increases among OECD members in science, reading and mathematics compared with 2022.
Because the number of participating countries has more than doubled since 2003 — from 41 to 91 — Türkiye's long-term progress was also assessed using percentile rankings.
From 2003 to 2025, Türkiye improved its relative position by 64 percent in science, 60 percent in reading and 52 percent in mathematics.
The results were published simultaneously worldwide, with separate reports issued by Türkiye's Ministry of National Education and the OECD.
Türkiye’s PISA gains follow years of investment in school infrastructure, digital education, and programmes aimed at strengthening basic skills and reducing learning gaps.
In 2024, the education ministry launched the Türkiye Century Education Model that seeks to focus on STEM education by training teachers.
Türkiye has also increased its focus on reading, literacy and mathematics through supplementary materials and targeted support, while free textbooks and expanded preschool access have aimed to strengthen foundational skills.
