Hong Kong students slip in international PISA rankings
Hong Kong secondary students saw their scores drop in the latest PISA assessment, with science falling out of the global top 10 for the first time. Experts attribute the decline partly to post-pandemic effects on study habits and motivation. Mainland Chinese regions topped the science rankings.
The latest Programme for International Student Assessment, administered by the OECD, evaluated 15-year-olds across 91 participating economies between May and July 2025. Hong Kong's science performance fell to 17th place with a score of 496, a notable drop from its 7th position in the previous cycle.
The assessment, conducted every three years, also includes a rotating "innovative domain" to gauge practical skills. Meanwhile, a combined group of mainland Chinese provinces—Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang—took the top spot in science with a score of 597, significantly outpacing Hong Kong.
The slipping rankings could affect Hong Kong's educational reputation and its competitiveness in global talent markets. Parents and educators may face increased pressure to reassess teaching methods and student motivation, particularly regarding post-pandemic learning recovery. This decline might also prompt policymakers to review curriculum priorities, as the gap with mainland peers could influence regional perceptions of academic excellence and resource allocation.