Austria’s 2025 PISA scores fell in reading and maths, with immigrant pupils about three learning years behind in science
State of Us · Friday, 11 September 2026
Why it matters
This adds Austria to the latest cross-European evidence of declining school outcomes: the OECD said its 2025 results were the lowest recorded across reading, mathematics and science, and Austria’s maths score fell 10 points from 2022. The demographic breakdown is especially relevant to social cohesion because the immigrant-background gap coincides with a measurable concentration of socioeconomic disadvantage, rather than establishing migration background alone as the cause.
What happened
Austria scored 467 in reading and 477 in mathematics in the 2025 PISA assessment; the maths result was 10 points below 2022, while science performance was broadly stable. More than a quarter of Austrian pupils were low performers in reading and mathematics, although Austria remained above the OECD averages of 461 and 463 respectively. In science, pupils with an immigrant background scored roughly three learning years below pupils without one; PISA and Austria’s IQS cautioned that this gap is closely connected with socioeconomic disadvantage and the language spoken at home. The OECD also reported that nearly half of 15- and 16-year-olds used an AI chatbot for learning weekly, while frequent entertainment use of digital devices was associated with weaker performance.
Previously
9 Sep 2026 — Germany recorded its lowest-ever PISA scores as socioeconomic achievement gaps widen.(thelocal.de)
2022 — Germany recorded PISA scores of 475 points in mathematics, 480 in reading and 492 in science; 30% of students were below basic proficiency in mathematics, 25% in reading and 23% in science.(BILD.de)
2015 — Germany’s reported PISA reading score reached 509 points.(BILD.de)
2012 — Germany reached its reported PISA high points of 514 in mathematics and 524 in science.(BILD.de)
Players & places
- Austria
- OECD
- Institute for Quality Assurance in the Austrian School System
- Christoph Wiederkehr