Singapore's Maths Rankings in PISA and TIMSS
Last reviewed 4 October 2026 by the Explico editorial team
In PISA 2025, released by the OECD on 8 September 2026, Singapore ranked 2nd in the world for mathematics with a score of 563, behind B-S-J-Z (China), and 1st for reading. In TIMSS 2023, Singapore ranked 1st in mathematics at both Primary 4 (Grade 4) and Secondary 2 (Grade 8).
Results at a glance
| Study and subject | Year | Singapore's position | Singapore's score |
|---|---|---|---|
| PISA mathematics (age 15) | 2025 | 2nd | 563 |
| PISA reading (age 15) | 2025 | 1st | 535 |
| PISA science (age 15) | 2025 | 2nd | 560 |
| TIMSS mathematics, Primary 4 (Grade 4) | 2023 | 1st | 615 |
| TIMSS mathematics, Secondary 2 (Grade 8) | 2023 | 1st | 605 |
| TIMSS science, Primary 4 (Grade 4) | 2023 | 1st | 607 |
| TIMSS science, Secondary 2 (Grade 8) | 2023 | 1st | 606 |
Positions are by average score. In PISA 2025 the OECD average for maths was 463. TIMSS scores are reported on a scale with a centrepoint of 500.
PISA 2025 results
PISA 2025 tested more than 760,000 students aged 15 in 91 countries and economies. The OECD published the results on 8 September 2026.
| Position | Education system | Average score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B-S-J-Z (China) | 612 |
| 2 | Singapore | 563 |
| 3 | Macao (China) | 549 |
| 4 | Chinese Taipei | 546 |
| 5 | Japan | 525 |
| OECD average | 463 |
B-S-J-Z (China) is four regions of China (Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang), which the OECD reports together. Singapore was 1st in reading with 535, ahead of B-S-J-Z (China) on 527, and 2nd in science with 560, behind B-S-J-Z (China) on 597. It was also 2nd in computational problem solving with 563, behind Macao (China) on 572.
Singapore's maths score fell from 575 in 2022, and the OECD average fell too, from 472 to 463. The Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) noted that the gap between Singapore's top and low performers grew between 2022 and 2025, although Singapore still has one of the lowest shares of low performers.
Singapore's PISA maths results since 2009
Singapore first took part in PISA in 2009 and has placed 1st or 2nd in mathematics in all six cycles since.
| PISA cycle | Singapore's score | Singapore's position | Ranked 1st |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 563 | 2nd | B-S-J-Z (China), 612 |
| 2022 | 575 | 1st | Singapore |
| 2018 | 569 | 2nd | B-S-J-Z (China), 591 |
| 2015 | 564 | 1st | Singapore |
| 2012 | 573 | 2nd | Shanghai-China, 613 |
| 2009 | 562 | 2nd | Shanghai-China, 600 |
TIMSS 2023 results
TIMSS 2023 tested maths and science at Grade 4 in 58 countries and at Grade 8 in 44 countries. Singapore ranked 1st in both subjects at both grades. The results were published on 4 December 2024.
| Position | Primary 4 (Grade 4) | Score | Secondary 2 (Grade 8) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 615 | Singapore | 605 |
| 2 | Chinese Taipei | 607 | Chinese Taipei | 602 |
| 3 | Korea | 594 | Korea | 596 |
| 4 | Hong Kong SAR | 594 | Japan | 595 |
| 5 | Japan | 591 | Hong Kong SAR | 575 |
Korea and Hong Kong SAR have the same rounded Grade 4 score; the order follows the official results.
PISA and TIMSS: what each test measures
| PISA | TIMSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) | IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement) |
| Who is tested | Students aged 15 | Grade 4 and Grade 8 (Primary 4 and Secondary 2 in Singapore) |
| What it tests | How well students apply reading, maths and science to real-life problems | Maths and science knowledge from the school curriculum |
| How often | Every three to four years since 2000 | Every four years since 1995 |
| Latest results | PISA 2025, published 8 September 2026 | TIMSS 2023, published 4 December 2024 |
What this means for primary maths
TIMSS at Grade 4 is the closest international measure of primary school maths. In Singapore it is taken by Primary 4 pupils, who ranked 1st among 58 countries in 2023. We believe results like these start with how maths is taught from Primary 1: concrete objects before symbols, bar models for word problems, and understanding before speed.
That approach is the basis of Explico's Singapore Maths, a Primary 1 to 6 (Grades 1 to 6) programme aligned to the MOE 2021 Primary Mathematics Syllabus. See what children learn in Primary 4 Singapore Maths, explore the curriculum for every grade, or read how the programme works for schools and for parents.
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- A demo account with the teacher and school leader views
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For principals, heads of maths and academic directors.
Quick answers
Is Singapore number one in the world for maths?
In TIMSS 2023, yes: Singapore ranked 1st in maths at both Primary 4 (Grade 4), among 58 countries, and Secondary 2 (Grade 8), among 44 countries. In PISA 2025, Singapore ranked 2nd in maths, behind B-S-J-Z (China), and 1st in reading.
Who ranked first in PISA 2025 maths?
B-S-J-Z (China), the four Chinese regions of Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with an average score of 612. Singapore was 2nd with 563.
What is the difference between PISA and TIMSS?
PISA, run by the OECD, tests how 15-year-olds apply what they know to real-life problems. TIMSS, run by the IEA, tests maths and science from the school curriculum at Grade 4 and Grade 8.
When will this page be updated?
After the next TIMSS and PISA results are published. Each update will change the tables and the date at the top of this page.
Sources
- OECD, PISA 2025 Results (Volume I)
- OECD, PISA 2025 country note: Singapore
- Singapore MOE, PISA 2025 press release (8 September 2026)
- Singapore MOE, PISA 2025 annex of mean scores
- Singapore MOE, PISA 2022 annex of mean scores
- Singapore MOE, PISA 2018 annex of mean scores
- US National Center for Education Statistics, PISA 2015 results statement
- US National Center for Education Statistics, PISA 2012 mathematics results
- Singapore MOE, PISA 2009 press release (7 December 2010, National Archives of Singapore)
- IEA, TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 mathematics results
- IEA, TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 mathematics results
- Singapore MOE, TIMSS 2023 press release (4 December 2024)