UK Teens Lead Globally in STEM and Literacy, But Concerns Rise Over Declining Critical Thinking

UK teens rank among the top globally in science, math, and reading, but a new study highlights growing concerns over declining critical thinking skills.

Editorial Desk

September 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — A recent international assessment has placed UK teenagers among the top performers worldwide in science, mathematics, and reading. However, the findings also reveal a troubling trend of declining critical thinking abilities among students.

The latest Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) evaluated over 760,000 15-year-olds across the globe, with the UK securing a position within the top 10. The results show that English pupils continue to outperform their counterparts in most countries in key academic subjects, while Scotland and Wales lag further behind.

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Despite strong performance in science, reading, and math, the study warns that digital distractions are increasingly affecting students’ ability to engage deeply with academic material. While the UK remains ahead of nations such as the United States and Australia, it still trails behind high-performing regions like Singapore, Estonia, and parts of China.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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