PISA Shock Across the Nordics: Record Lows in All Five Countries

Sweden's share below basic math proficiency has climbed to 34 percent, Norway's stands at 38 percent, and Iceland trails its Nordic neighbors in all three subjects.

Reading and math results among 15-year-olds have hit record lows across all five Nordic countries. PISA 2025 exposes a deepening knowledge crisis from Finland to Iceland—and in Sweden, the achievement gap is narrowing because advantaged students are losing ground.

Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland have all recorded their lowest reading and mat…