Indicator 4.40 Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science

The indicator measures the share of 15-year-old students failing to reach level 2 (‘basic skills level’) on the PISA scale for the three core school subjects of reading, mathematics and science. The data stem from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a regularly conducted international survey which aims to evaluate education systems by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students.

Indicator is used to monitor progress towards SDG 4 on quality education, which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under ‘A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness’, ‘Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model’ and ‘Protecting our democracy, upholding our values’. The Council of the European Union on 26 February 2021 adopted the Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030), a framework that addresses five strategic priorities: (1) Improving quality, equity, inclusion and success for all in education and training; (2) Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality for all; (3) Enhancing competences and motivation in the education profession; (4) Reinforcing European higher education; and (5) Supporting green and digital transitions in and through education and training.

The Council Resolution sets the EU target for the share of low-achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science as measured by this SDG indicator to be less than 15% by 2030.

The long-term objective for this indicator is a value of 525.6.