PISA 2025: France's Maths Scores Show No Improvement

A newly released PISA report has reignited concerns about the state of French education, revealing that maths performance among students has significantly deteriorated over the past decade. PISA, an international assessment conducted every few years, measures the academic skills of 15-year-old students across dozens of countries in maths, reading, and science.

The report's most striking finding is that a French student currently in seconde, the first year of upper secondary school, now demonstrates the same maths proficiency as a student in quatrième, a lower secondary level, did in 2012. This represents a decline equivalent to roughly two years of learning, raising alarm among educators and policymakers alike.

Despite ongoing efforts to reform the education system, France has remained fixed in 27th place in the global ranking, showing no measurable progress relative to other participating nations. China, by contrast, has emerged as the clear leader, with its students posting the highest maths scores worldwide, reinforcing its reputation for academic rigor.

Notably, the report situates France's stagnation within a broader global pattern: maths scores have fallen across many countries, suggesting the decline is not unique to the French system but part of a wider international trend, possibly linked to disruptions such as the pandemic or changes in teaching methods.

These findings have reignited France's recurring narrative of declinism, a pervasive belief that the nation is losing ground both economically and culturally. Commentators cited in the report argue that the results expose France's lack of readiness for an increasingly competitive, technology-driven global economy.

The timing of the report has amplified its political significance, as France approaches a presidential election in which education policy and national competitiveness are expected to feature prominently. Analysts suggest that the PISA results could become a rallying point for political parties seeking to critique the current government's handling of the education system.

Education specialists warn that without significant structural reform, France risks falling further behind in global rankings, potentially undermining its students' employability and the country's long-term economic competitiveness in a world where technical skills, especially in mathematics, are increasingly vital.

While the report does not provide detailed policy recommendations, it has already prompted renewed debate among French educators, unions, and politicians about how best to reverse the downward trend and restore confidence in the national education system.