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Sweden ranks third in reading skills according to OECD assessment

Tuesday 10th 2024 on 11:13 in  
Sweden

A total of 31 countries and regions have assessed adults’ skills in reading, mathematics, and problem-solving. In this evaluation, Sweden performed admirably, ranking as the third-best country in reading ability and sharing third place with the Netherlands and Norway in mathematics. In problem-solving, Sweden shares the third spot with Norway, while Finland and Japan consistently rank at the top, according to an international report by the OECD.

When compared to results from 2012, Sweden shows a slight improvement in reading and mathematics scores; however, these gains are minimal and fall within the margin of error. The problem-solving results cannot be compared year-on-year due to updates in the assessment, but performance has remained strong in both evaluations.

The OECD indicated that Sweden’s reading and mathematics results would be significantly better since 2012 if not for demographic changes. Since then, Sweden has experienced one of the largest increases in foreign-born residents among the measured nations, contributing to a higher number of individuals facing challenges with the test language. Nevertheless, the share of individuals scoring very low in reading and mathematics has not risen, with the proportion of high achievers in reading remaining stable and increasing in mathematics.

The report also highlights a notable correlation between education level and performance on the assessment, yet age and experience also play significant roles. Young adults born between 1989 and 1996 demonstrated better reading skills now at age 30 than during their twenties. This age group (25–34 years) achieved the highest scores across all age categories in both reading and problem-solving, while the oldest group maintained their reading performance at levels seen a decade earlier.

All age groups in Sweden outperformed the OECD averages, but the smallest advantage was noted among those who recently finished high school, specifically the 16-24 age range.

Source 
(via svt.se)