#1. How is Canada Doing in Math?

When was the last time you tried to help a teen with their math homework and felt completely stumped? You’re not alone—and it’s not just about individual struggles. Math performance among Canadian students has been a growing concern for educators, parents, and policymakers alike. Are kids actually getting worse at math, or are we just more aware of it now?

To get a clearer picture, we turn to one of the most comprehensive international tools used to assess student performance globally.

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), is a worldwide study organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Every three years, it evaluates the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in reading, science, and mathematics across dozens of countries.

But this isn’t your average school test. PISA doesn’t just ask whether students can calculate a percentage—it assesses how well they can apply their knowledge to real-world problems. It’s about reasoning, interpretation, and critical thinking, not just memorization.

In the most recent 2022 edition of PISA, a focus was once again on mathematics – a subject where Canadian students have historically performed well. So, how did they fare this time?

In the 2022 PISA assessment:

• Canada scored 497 in mathematics.
• This is 25 points above the OECD average of 472.
• Canada ranked 9th globally.
• 78% of Canadian students met the baseline proficiency (Level 2), compared to the OECD average of 69%.
• 12% reached advanced levels (Level 5 or 6), again above the OECD average of 9%.

Below are the countries that performed in the top 20 on the 2022 PISA math assessment:

Canada’s numbers suggest it continues to do well. However, there’s a catch.

A Downward Trend⁵

While Canada’s scores are still respectable, the trend over time is concerning:

Evident is a 35-point drop in just two decades. This isn’t unique to Canada—many countries saw a decline, likely influenced by global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in education styles — but it’s a trend worth watching.

Within Canada, performance varied across provinces:

• Quebec: Students in Quebec particularly excelled in mathematics, achieving rankings comparable to some of the highest-performing countries and economies in the assessment.
• British Columbia: Students in British Columbia performed at the Canadian average and scored well above the OECD average in mathematics. However, a declining trend in student performance for mathematics has been noted.
• Ontario and Alberta: These provinces also demonstrated performance in line with Canada’s overall strong results.

Notably, students attending majority-language school systems generally outperformed their counterparts in minority-language school systems, highlighting linguistic disparities in educational outcomes.

In the latest PISA math assessment in 2022, a total of 81 Countries participated. Here’s how they all stacked up:

Historical Data⁵

Here’s a historical overview of the average PISA mathematics scores for OECD countries from 2003 to 2022:

What observations can we make?

• Declining Trend: There has been a gradual decline in average mathematics scores among OECD countries over the past two decades, with a notable drop of 28 points from 2003 to 2022 (Canada’s drop was 35 points).
• Impact of Global Events: The significant decrease in 2022 is attributed to various factors, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected learning environments worldwide.

Key Takeaways from 2022 PISA Math⁴

1. Record Decline in Mathematics Performance: The OECD average score in mathematics dropped by 15 points compared to 2018, marking the largest decline since PISA’s inception. This equates to approximately three-quarters of a school year of learning loss.

2. Singapore Leads in Mathematics: Singapore achieved the highest average mathematics score (575 points), significantly outperforming all other participating countries and economies. Other top performers included Macao (China), Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong (China), Japan, and Korea.

3. Proficiency Levels in Mathematics: On average across OECD countries, 69% of students attained at least Level 2 proficiency in mathematics, indicating the ability to use basic mathematical concepts in real-life situations.

4. Impact of Socio-Economic Status: Socio-economically advantaged students scored 93 points higher in mathematics than their disadvantaged peers on average across OECD countries, highlighting significant equity gaps.

5. Gender Disparities: Boys outperformed girls in mathematics by an average of 9 score points across OECD countries. (Conversely, girls outperformed boys in reading by 24 score points.)

Canada’s performance in the 2022 PISA assessment reaffirms its strong global standing in mathematics, but it also raises important red flags. While Canadian 15-year-olds scored above the OECD average, the decline in national math scores since 2018 reflects a worrying trend that aligns with international patterns. Regional disparities persist, with some provinces outperforming others, and gaps remain between students from different socio-economic backgrounds. These findings suggest that while many Canadian students are developing solid math skills, a growing number are not reaching the baseline proficiency needed for full participation in a data-driven economy. It suggests a need to re-evaluate how we teach math, the support systems in place for students, and how prepared they are for the demands of modern education and work. Addressing these gaps—through stronger math instruction, better support for disadvantaged students, and renewed investment in foundational numeracy—will be critical for ensuring Canada’s future competitiveness and educational equity.

Canada is still performing above the international average in math, which is good news. But the declining trend can’t be ignored. As we look forward, the PISA results offer both a warning and a roadmap. Canada has a solid foundation, but maintaining and improving that position will require attention, innovation, and investment.

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