Ranked: The Best Countries at Science
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Key Takeaways
- Singapore ranks #1 globally in science literacy among students aged 15 to 16.
- East Asian economies dominate the top of the global leaderboard.
- Only a small group of countries score well above the OECD average.
Science skills underpin innovation and long-term economic growth.
Every three years, the OECD tests hundreds of thousands of students aged 15 to 16 through its global PISA assessment.
The latest results reveal a clear global leaderboard in science performance, with top countries scoring well above the OECD average of 485.
Singapore Sets the Global Benchmark
Singapore ranks first overall with an average science score of 561, placing it well ahead of every other country in the study. The country also leads in math proficiency.
Japan and Macao follow closely, reinforcing East Asia’s strong performance in math and science education.
| Rank | Country | Average PISA Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Singapore |
561 |
| 2 |  Japan |
547 |
| 3 |  Macao |
543 |
| 4 |  Taiwan |
537 |
| 5 |  S. Korea |
528 |
| 6 |  Estonia |
526 |
| 7 |  Hong Kong |
520 |
| 8 |  Canada |
515 |
| 9 |  Finland |
511 |
| 10 |  Australia |
507 |
| 11 |  Ireland |
504 |
| 12 |  New Zealand |
504 |
| 13 |  Switzerland |
503 |
| 14 |  United Kingdom |
500 |
| 15 |  Slovenia |
500 |
| 16 |  Poland |
499 |
| 17 |  United States |
499 |
| 18 |  Czechia |
498 |
| 19 |  Denmark |
494 |
| 20 |  Latvia |
494 |
| 21 |  Sweden |
494 |
| 22 |  Germany |
492 |
| 23 |  Belgium |
491 |
| 24 |  Austria |
491 |
| 25 |  Netherlands |
488 |
| 26 |  France |
487 |
| 27 |  Hungary |
486 |
| OECD average | 485 | |
| 28 |  Spain |
485 |
| 29 |  Portugal |
484 |
| 30 |  Lithuania |
484 |
Several European countries perform well above the OECD average of 485. Estonia stands out as Europe’s top performer, ranking sixth overall with a score of 526.
Finland, long known for its education model, remains in the top 10 despite slight declines from previous cycles. Canada is the highest-ranked country in the Americas, placing eighth overall with a score of 515.
How Major Economies Compare
Among major advanced economies, performance is more uneven.
The United States ranks 17th with a score of 499, slightly above the OECD average but behind many peers.
The United Kingdom sits at 14th with an even 500, while Germany and France fall below the top 20.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
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