Global Education Rankings
UAE and UK Shine in Latest PISA Education Rankings Amid Global Declines
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Key Points
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UAE students’ scores rose by 26 points in science to 458, 21 points in mathematics to 453 and 15 points in reading to 433. The country also reported fewer low-performing students and a larger share reaching advanced performance levels, indicating that the gains were not limited to high achievers.
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Dubai substantially exceeded the UAE’s national results, scoring 506 in science, 496 in mathematics and 484 in reading. Its results were also above OECD averages by 24, 33 and 23 points respectively.
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The UK’s performance remained below leading systems such as Singapore, Estonia and parts of China, although it was ahead of the United States, Australia and several major European countries. The UK’s overall results therefore represent relative international performance rather than an across-the-board lead.
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In the UK sample, 15,566 students from 515 schools took part. The PISA assessment tested problem-solving, critical thinking and communication, alongside a broader questionnaire about students’ educational experiences.
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England’s government said it plans to make technical subjects available to students from age 14, citing Estonia as an example of how academic excellence can coexist with high-quality vocational pathways.
The UAE has become a global education standout, with students improving across all three major subjects tested in the 2025 PISA assessment. Canberra Times reported that UAE students gained 26 points in science to reach 458, 21 points in mathematics to 453, and 15 points in reading to 433. The country was one of only eight of 91 participants to post gains in all three areas, while most nations struggled with a worldwide decline in reading performance.
The UK also ranked in the global top 10 across all three subjects, though below leading systems like Singapore and Estonia. Maitland Mercury noted that the OECD's test covered more than 760,000 fifteen-year-olds across 91 countries and economies. England drove the UK's strong results, outperforming Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while the debate over which past education reforms deserve credit has split officials and Conservative critics.
Dubai Crushes National and Global Benchmarks
Dubai's students achieved results far above both the UAE average and the OECD baseline. The emirate scored 506 in science, 496 in mathematics and 484 in reading. Western Advocate reported these totals exceeded OECD averages by 24, 33 and 23 points respectively. Dubai's outperformance suggests regional inequality within the UAE but also demonstrates that local education systems can reach world-class standards when properly resourced.
UAE Gains Spread Across All Student Performance Levels
The UAE's improvements were not limited to high achievers. Dungo Chronicle highlighted that the country reported fewer low-performing students and a larger share reaching advanced performance levels across all three subjects. This broad-based gain suggests the education system is lifting results throughout the student population, not just among the already-strong performers.
England Leads UK Results Despite Global Competition
England's performance drove the UK into the global top 10 in reading, mathematics and science. Port News reported that 15,566 students from 515 schools participated in the UK sample. The assessment tested problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills. England outperformed the other three UK nations but remained below elite systems such as Singapore, Estonia and leading Chinese regions. The UK did rank ahead of the United States, Australia and several major European countries.
England Plans Technical Subjects for Younger Students
England's government cited its education reforms as key to the results and plans to expand technical subjects starting at age 14. Officials pointed to Estonia as an example of how academic excellence can coexist with high-quality vocational pathways. This signals a shift toward offering diverse educational routes earlier, aiming to balance rigorous academics with practical skills training.
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