- Fifteen-year-old students in Zambia and the context in which they learn
- How well did 15-year-old students in Zambia do on the test?
- Performance gaps within Zambia
- Student attitudes towards school and learning in Zambia
- How is school life in Zambia?
- Student readiness for environmental challenges
- Key Features of PISA 2025 in Zambia
PISA 2025 Results (Volume I): Zambia
Table of contents
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) assesses the knowledge, skills and attitudes of 15-year-old students. The tests explore how well students can solve complex problems, think critically and communicate effectively; data collected through questionnaires describe the context in which students learn. This gives insights into how well education systems are preparing students for real life challenges and future success. Zambia participated for the first time in PISA in 2017, through the PISA for Development initiative. By comparing results internationally, policy makers and educators in Zambia can learn from other countries’ policies and practices.
Notes: Due to missing data, not all countries and economies are included in every dimension. For each dimension, the top country/economy and the OECD average are highlighed; truancy values are sorted in descending order, so that values shown to the right correspond to lower levels of truancy.
For indicators derived from students’ and principals’ reports, differences between countries and economies should be interpreted with caution, as they may reflect variations in response behaviour rather than true underlying differences. Non-response to questionnaires, cultural norms, as well as differing interpretations of questions can influence these indicators.
Definitions: Values that are not reported as percentages correspond to mean values of the corresponding questionnaire indices. Percentages are defined as follows: Percentage of students scoring above a baseline level of proficiency: students scoring at or above Level 2 in science, mathematics and reading; Growth mindset: Percentage of students who disagree or strongly disagree with the statement “You have a certain amount of intelligence, and you really can’t do much to change it”; Value of learning at school: Percentage of students who disagree or strongly disagree that “School has done little to prepare me for adult life when I leave school”; Absence of bullying: Percentage of students who reported never or almost never being victim of any type of bullying act (among a list of five different types of acts); Truancy: Percentage of students who reported that in the two weeks prior to the PISA test they had skipped at least one class or day of school; Academic resilience in science: Percentage of students from the bottom quarter of socio-economic status (disadvantaged students) who scored in the top quarter of performance amongst students in their own country/economy; Beliefs in social mobility: Percentage of students who disagree or strongly disagree with the statement “Your status in society is something that you can’t really change very much”; No shortage of teaching staff: Percentage of students in schools whose principal reported that the school’s capacity to provide instruction is not at all hindered by a lack of teaching staff; Peer-to-peer tutoring: Percentage of students in schools whose principal reported that peer-to-peer tutoring is provided; School policy: cell phone bans in school: Percentage of students in schools whose principal reported that the use of cell phones is not allowed on the school premises; School policy: subject-specific guidelines on digital devices: Percentage of students in schools whose principal reported that the school has formal guidelines for the use of digital devices for teaching and learning in specific subjects.
Source: Figure I.1.2.
An interactive dashboard is available at https://www.oecd.org/en/data/dashboards/pisa-education-and-skills.html
Notes on data quality in PISA 2025
This edition of PISA includes data from 91 countries and economies. While the vast majority of countries and economies met PISA’s technical standards, a small number did not. In particular, caution is required when interpreting results of countries and economies mentioned in this note with an asterisk (*) next to their names: their results could be affected by greater uncertainty, or even be biased, because one or more PISA sampling standards were not met. For more information, see the Reader’s Guide in PISA 2025 Results, Volume I and Chapter 18 (Data Adjudication) in the PISA 2025 Technical Report.
In Zambia, all data met the quality standards set by PISA and were considered fit for reporting.
PISA 2025 results for Zambia differ significantly from previous results, which are based on data collected in 2017. These changes were observed in the context of a large increase in the number of eligible 15-year-old students and of major shifts in their socio-economic composition and grade-level distribution.
Note: White dots indicate mean scores that are not statistically significantly above/below PISA 2025 mean scores. An interactive version of this figure is available at https://www.oecd.org/en/data/dashboards/pisa-education-and-skills/performance-trends.html.
Source: Tables I.B1.2a.36-38
Average 2025 results in Zambia were up compared to 2017 in mathematics, reading and science.
Over the most recent period (2017 to 2025), the gap between the highest-scoring students (10% with the highest scores) and the weakest students (10% with the lowest scores) widened in mathematics, reading and science.
Compared to 2017 the proportion of low-performing students (scoring below proficiency Level 2) decreased by 13 percentage points in mathematics; by 13 percentage points in reading; and by 19 percentage points in science.
Students in Zambia scored less than the OECD average in mathematics, reading and science (Figure 3).
A smaller proportion of students in Zambia than on average across OECD countries were top performers (Level 5 or 6) in at least one subject. At the same time, a smaller proportion of students than on average across OECD countries achieved a minimum level of proficiency (Level 2 or higher) in all three subjects (Figure 4).
Zambia, OECD average and selected comparison countries/economies
Notes: Comparison countries/economies include the highest-performing countries and economies overall and the highest-performing OECD countries; for comparisons with all remaining PISA 2025 participants, see source Tables and Figures. Horizontal lines that extend beyond the markers represent a measure of uncertainty associated with mean scores (the 95% confidence interval).
Zambia and OECD average
Source: Tables I.B1.2a.10-12
Some 25% of students in Zambia attained Level 2 or higher in science (OECD average: 74%). At a minimum, these students can recognize the correct explanation for familiar scientific phenomena and can use such knowledge to identify, in simple cases, whether a conclusion is valid based on the data provided. Over 85% of students in top performers B-S-J-Z (China), Macao (China), Singapore, Estonia, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Korea (in descending order of that share) performed at this level or above.
In Zambia, almost no students were top performers in science, meaning that they were proficient at Level 5 or 6 (OECD average: 7%). These students can creatively and autonomously apply their knowledge of and about science to a wide variety of situations, including unfamiliar ones.
In Zambia, 15% of students attained at least Level 2 proficiency in mathematics (OECD average: 65%). At a minimum, these students can interpret and recognize, without direct instructions, how a simple situation can be represented mathematically (e.g. comparing the total distance across two alternative routes, or converting prices into a different currency).
Almost no students in Zambia were top performers in mathematics, meaning that they attained Level 5 or 6 in the PISA mathematics test (OECD average: 8%). The largest shares of students attaining Level 5 or 6 were observed in Seven Asian countries and economies: B-S-J-Z (China) (54%), Singapore (37%), Chinese Taipei (32%), Macao (China) (29%), Korea (23%), Japan (22%) and Hong Kong (China) (21%). At these levels, students can model complex situations mathematically, and can select, compare and evaluate appropriate problem-solving strategies for dealing with them. In 13 countries and economies participating in PISA 2025, more than 10% of students attained Level 5 or 6 proficiency.
Some 18% of students in Zambia attained Level 2 or higher in reading (OECD average: 69%). At a minimum, these students can identify the main idea in a text of moderate length, find information based on explicit, though sometimes complex criteria, and can reflect on the purpose and form of texts when explicitly directed to do so. The share of 15-year-old students who attained minimum levels of proficiency in reading (Level 2 or higher) varied from 93% in B-S-J-Z (China) to 4% in Rwanda.
In Zambia, almost no students scored at Level 5 or higher in reading (OECD average: 6%). These students can comprehend lengthy texts, deal with concepts that are abstract or counterintuitive, and establish distinctions between fact and opinion, based on implicit cues pertaining to the content or source of the information.
Notes: The left-hand chart shows how the performance of students at different levels of socio-economic status compares to the performance of students with similar socio-economic background across OECD countries on average. The shaded area represents a measure of uncertainty (the 95% confidence interval). Percentages reported on the chart correspond to the percentage of students in Zambia that are in each international quartile of socio-economic status.
The right-hand chart plots the performance and average socio-economic status of schools that participated in PISA (only schools with students in the modal grade for 15-year-olds are shown). The size of dots is proportional to the population of 15-year-old students that each school represents.
The PISA index of economic, social and cultural status is computed in such a way that all students taking the PISA test, regardless of the country where they live, can be placed on the same socio-economic scale. This means that it is possible to use this index to compare the performance of students of similar socio-economic background in different countries. In Zambia, 47% of students (the largest share) were in the bottom international quartile of the socio-economic scale, meaning that they were among the most disadvantaged students who took the PISA test in 2025. Their average score in science was 283 score points (Figure 5, left chart). In B-S-J-Z (China) and Türkiye, students of similar socio-economic background tend to score significantly higher.
The PISA index of economic, social and cultural status can also be used to order students from the most disadvantaged to the most advantaged within each country and economy, and to create four groups of students of equal size (each comprising 25% of the population of 15-year-old students in each country/economy). In Zambia socio-economically advantaged students (the top 25% in terms of socio-economic status) outperformed disadvantaged students (the bottom 25%) by 177 score points in science. This is larger than the average difference between the two groups (85 score points) across OECD countries.
Between 2017 and 2025, the gap in science performance between the top and the bottom 25% of students in terms of socio-economic status widened in Zambia, while the average gap across OECD countries remained stable. Over this period, performance improved among advantaged students, but declined among disadvantaged students.
Socio-economic status was a predictor of performance in science in all PISA-participating countries and economies. It accounted for 38% of the variation in science performance in PISA 2025 in Zambia (compared to 12% on average across OECD countries).
Some 4% of disadvantaged students in Zambia were able to score in the top quarter of science performance. These students can be considered academically resilient because, despite their socio-economic disadvantage, they have attained educational excellence by comparison with students in their own country. On average across OECD countries, 12% of disadvantaged students scored in the top quarter of science performance in their own countries.
In Zambia, 72% of students agree or strongly agree that they are curious about many different things, compared to 73% across OECD countries. Moreover, 71% of students reported that they apply additional effort when work becomes challenging (OECD average 60%). At the same time, 14% agree or strongly agree that school has been a waste of time (OECD average: 24%).
Curiosity, perseverance and valuing school are most often associated with higher science performance. In Zambia, after accounting for students’ and schools’ socio-economic profile, a one-unit increase in the curiosity index is associated with a difference of 17 score points in science performance, compared to an average of 19 score points across OECD countries; students who perceive greater value in school and disagree that it is a waste of time tend to achieve higher scores in science (by 31 score points ) than their peers who feel they are wasting their time at school (OECD average: 27 score points).
PISA 2025 also asked students about other attitudes towards learning. For example, 59% of students in Zambia have a growth mindset (OECD average: 69%), i.e. hold the belief that intelligence can be cultivated through work, effort and feedback. On average across OECD countries, students with a growth mindset score 28 score points higher in science than those with a fixed mindset. In Zambia, this difference is 12 score points, after accounting for students’ and schools’ socio-economic profile.
In 2025, 52% of students in Zambia were in schools whose principals reported that instruction was hindered, at least to some extent, by a perceived lack of teaching staff (OECD average: 39%); the corresponding share for a perceived lack of assisting staff was 43% (OECD average: 39%).
PISA 2025 data reveal that perceived shortages of material resources remain a concern in most countries and economies. Some 69% of students in Zambia attended schools whose principals reported that a lack of educational material (e.g. textbooks, IT equipment, library or laboratory material) hindered instruction, at least to some extent, and 57% were in schools where a lack of physical infrastructure (e.g. buildings, grounds, heating/cooling systems, lighting and acoustic systems) was perceived to hinder instruction.
In Zambia, students reported spending on average 1.2 hours per day using digital devices at school for learning activities (OECD average: 1.7 hours). At the same time, a non-negligible share of students’ device use on school days is dedicated to non-learning activities: students in Zambia reported spending 0.8 hours per day using digital devices at school for leisure (OECD average: 1.1 hours).
In 2025, 83% of students in Zambia attended schools where cell phone use is not allowed on school premises (OECD average: 49%).
In Zambia, 41% of students reported being victims of at least one form of bullying a few times per month or more in 2025 (OECD average: 20%).
Cyberbullying is relatively uncommon compared with other forms of bullying, but its victims tend to experience significant achievement deficits. In Zambia, 6% of students reported that upsetting information about them was published online, without their consent, at least a few times a month during the 12 months prior to the PISA test (OECD average: 3%). These students scored, on average, 40 points lower in science than their peers.
In 2025, 53% of students in Zambia reported that their parents or guardians asked them, at least once per week, what they did at school , while 49% reported having at least weekly discussions about problems they might have at school.
In 2025, around 31% of students in Zambia reported having skipped at least one day of school in the two weeks prior to the test (OECD average: 22%); 24% reported skipping at least one class (OECD average: 24%); 39% reported arriving late for school (OECD average: 50%). In previous years, the corresponding shares were 61%, 39% and 38% (in 2018).
PISA 2025 shows that students in most education systems report strong pro-environmental attitudes, although fewer feel confident about how to collaborate effectively. In Zambia, 77% of students believe that they can positively impact the environment (OECD average: 81%); 85% believe that collective action can address environmental problems (OECD average: 82%); 66% report knowing how to work with others to positively impact the environment (OECD average: 68%).
Most students engaged in environment-related activities at least once over the 12 months prior to the PISA test. On average across OECD countries, the most common forms of engagement are discussing with friends and family how to have a positive impact on the environment (Zambia: 66%; OECD average: 56%) and making purchasing decisions based on the sustainability of products (OECD average: 54%; 42% in Zambia).
The PISA 2025 survey focused on science, with mathematics and reading as minor areas; an assessment of learning in the digital world measured students’ computational problem-solving skills and their ability to self-direct their learning in a digital environment; Zambia did not participate in this assessment. Results for science, mathematics, reading and computational problem solving are released on 8 September 2026 and analyses of students’ self-directed learning in 2027.
Over 760 000 students took the assessment in 2025, representing about 33 million 15-year-olds in the schools of the 91 participating countries and economies.
In Zambia, 5 735 students, in 220 schools, completed the assessment, representing about 457 300 15-year-old students.
PISA students are aged between 15 years 3 months and 16 years 2 months at the time of the assessment, and they have completed at least 6 years of formal schooling. In this note, they are referred to as 15-year-old students.
Students took a two hour test in mathematics, reading and science, using paper and pencil. Test items were a mixture of multiple-choice questions and questions requiring students to construct their own responses.
Students also answered a background questionnaire, which took about 35 minutes to complete. The questionnaire sought information about the students themselves, their attitudes, dispositions and beliefs, their homes, and their school and learning experiences. School principals completed a questionnaire about school management, organisation, and the learning environment.
Some countries/economies also distributed additional questionnaires, to students, parents and/or teachers, to elicit more information. The findings from these optional questionnaires are not covered by this note.
Contact
For more information about PISA 2025 visit www.oecd.org/pisa
Explore, compare and visualise more data and analysis using http://gpseducation.oecd.org.
Questions can be directed to the PISA team at the Directorate for Education and Skills: edu.pisa@oecd.org.
This note was written by Francesco Avvisati (OECD Directorate for Education and Skills).
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