What are the exact results of the PISA 2025 survey for Switzerland?

In the natural sciences, Swiss 15-year-olds scored 501 points, higher than the OECD average of 482. In reading, the score fell to 470 points (from 492 in 2015), still above the OECD average of 461 points. In math, the drop was from 521 to 499 points. In model-based problem solving, Switzerland scored 520 points. The scientific-environmental competence, tested for the first time, recorded 495 points.

Why does Switzerland drop in reading and mathematics if it remains among the best countries?

Switzerland has not fallen below absolute international standards, but in comparison to its previous performance. Although it continues to be above the OECD average, the trend from 2015 to 2025 shows decreases of 22 points in both areas. Switzerland remains in the global elite group, but has lost positions in its internal benchmark.

How does social origin affect school performance according to PISA 2025?

Social origin remains a determining factor. Students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds performed significantly worse than their privileged peers. The gap between privileged and disadvantaged youth peaked in 2022, returning to the 2015 level in 2025. However, this stabilisation reflects a generalised decline even among privileged students, not a real improvement for the less advantaged.

How many Swiss students do not reach the minimum skills?

In reading, 28.8% of fifteen-year-olds did not reach minimum skills in 2025 (they were 20% in 2015). In mathematics, 23.2% of students perform poorly (it was 15.8% in 2015). In the natural sciences, the share of low-performing students remained stable at around 21%. These increases represent a growing polarization in the school system.

How does Switzerland compare to neighbouring countries such as Italy and Finland?

In science, only Estonia and Canada surpass Switzerland in some subsectors. In mathematics, only Estonia has superior results. In reading, Estonia and Canada precede Switzerland, while Finland and Italy reach a comparable level. In model-based problem-solving, only Estonia surpasses Switzerland in the reference group, while Canada is statistically at the same level.

Swiss students read less: PISA 2025 results (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 8 September 2026

Swiss school classroom with students solving mathematics and reading exercises

PISA 2025: Swiss fifteen-year-olds excel in science, but reading and mathematics fall. 28.8% do not achieve minimum skills. The investigation reveals the crucial influence of social origin.

Context

In Brief

PISA 2025: Switzerland declines in reading (-22 from 2015) and mathematics (-22)
Stable sciences and above OECD average: 501 points CH vs 482 OECD
Students with insufficient results growing: reading +8.8%, mathematics +7.4%
Social origin decisive: disadvantaged students report lower performance

Key Facts

What: International PISA 2025 survey on school performance of fifteen-year-olds
When: Results released Tuesday from the University of Bern
Where: Switzerland, on behalf of the Confederation and Cantons
Who: University of Bern, conducted on federal and cantonal behalf
Reading: 470 points (vs 492 in 2015), OECD average 461 points
Mathematics: 499 points (vs 521 in 2015)
Sciences: 501 points (stable, vs 482 OECD)
Students with insufficient results in reading: 28.8% (vs 20% in 2015)

Performance in natural sciences remains stable and above the OECD average, but students with insufficient results are growing in mathematics as well. On Tuesday, the University of Bern released the results of the PISA 2025 survey on Swiss fifteen-year-olds: data that confirms the strength of the national school system in some areas, but highlights a concerning decline in reading and mathematics.

In natural sciences, young Swiss students achieved an average of 501 points, positioning themselves clearly above the OECD average of 482 points. This result confirms the stability of performance since 2015, when the score was already high. In the same period, the OECD average has declined steadily, widening the gap in Switzerland's favor.

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Operational details

When compared to reference countries that are particularly relevant to Swiss educational policy, Switzerland consistently performs well. In natural sciences, only Estonia and Canada achieve better results in some sub-sectors. In mathematics, Switzerland stands out: only Estonia achieves even higher performance.

In reading, Estonia and Canada are ahead of Switzerland, while Finland and Italy reach a comparable level. This means that Switzerland, despite the decline, remains competitive with countries that historically excel in education. In model-based problem-solving, Switzerland is surpassed within the reference group only by Estonia, while Canada is statistically at the same level. Overall, Switzerland ranks among the top 20 countries out of 91 participants.

The Influence of Social Background

A central finding of the study is the major influence that social background still exerts on academic success. Students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds achieved significantly worse results on average compared to their peers from privileged backgrounds.

This gap between privileged and disadvantaged young people peaked in 2022 but returned to 2015 levels in 2025. However, this apparent stabilization masks a worrying dynamic: the improvement does not reflect actual support for disadvantaged youth, but rather a decline in performance even among privileged students. In other words, the system has declined overall, rather than lifting the most vulnerable.

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Key points

The PISA 2025 data represent a snapshot of school performance at national and international levels. For Swiss parents, the message is twofold: on one hand, the school system maintains global competitiveness; on the other, the growing number of struggling students suggests that not all young people receive the support necessary to achieve basic competencies.

If your son or daughter struggles with reading or mathematics, it is not an anomaly, but rather part of a national trend. This means that resources for school support (tutoring, remedial programs, differentiated pathways) should be a priority in the Cantons. Swiss schools, while remaining competitive internationally, need targeted interventions to reverse the trend.

What Policy Makers Can Do

From the Confederation to the Cantons, these data represent a concrete call to action. Switzerland remains excellent in science and mathematics at the international level, but the downward trend in both areas requires attention. Policy makers will need to assess whether curricula are still suited to contemporary needs in reading and mathematics, whether teachers have updated methodologies, how to reduce the impact of social origin on performance, and what the plan is to reverse the negative trend by the next PISA cycle.

Switzerland is still among the 20 most performing countries of the 91 participants in the PISA 2025 survey. Maintaining this position requires strategic interventions and constant monitoring of the national educational trajectory.

Concrete Next Steps

If you are parents, monitor your child's progress in reading and mathematics; do not hesitate to contact the school if you notice difficulties; ask for information about support programs available in your Canton.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the exact results of the PISA 2025 survey for Switzerland?: In the natural sciences, Swiss 15-year-olds scored 501 points, higher than the OECD average of 482. In reading, the score fell to 470 points (from 492 in 2015), still above the OECD average of 461 points. In math, the drop was from 521 to 499 points. In model-based problem solving, Switzerland scored 520 points. The scientific-environmental competence, tested for the first time, recorded 495 points.
Why does Switzerland drop in reading and mathematics if it remains among the best countries?: Switzerland has not fallen below absolute international standards, but in comparison to its previous performance. Although it continues to be above the OECD average, the trend from 2015 to 2025 shows decreases of 22 points in both areas. Switzerland remains in the global elite group, but has lost positions in its internal benchmark.
How does social origin affect school performance according to PISA 2025?: Social origin remains a determining factor. Students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds performed significantly worse than their privileged peers. The gap between privileged and disadvantaged youth peaked in 2022, returning to the 2015 level in 2025. However, this stabilisation reflects a generalised decline even among privileged students, not a real improvement for the less advantaged.
How many Swiss students do not reach the minimum skills?: In reading, 28.8% of fifteen-year-olds did not reach minimum skills in 2025 (they were 20% in 2015). In mathematics, 23.2% of students perform poorly (it was 15.8% in 2015). In the natural sciences, the share of low-performing students remained stable at around 21%. These increases represent a growing polarization in the school system.
How does Switzerland compare to neighbouring countries such as Italy and Finland?: In science, only Estonia and Canada surpass Switzerland in some subsectors. In mathematics, only Estonia has superior results. In reading, Estonia and Canada precede Switzerland, while Finland and Italy reach a comparable level. In model-based problem-solving, only Estonia surpasses Switzerland in the reference group, while Canada is statistically at the same level.