Israel's Education System Plummets in Global Rankings

Recent PISA 2025 results reveal a dramatic decline in the academic performance of 15-year-old Israeli students across reading, mathematics, and science, marking one of the sharpest setbacks in the nation's educational history. The average scores dropped significantly compared to 2022, with reading scores falling by 38 points, mathematics by 25, and science by 23. These declines are particularly stark when compared to other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, with Israel experiencing the second-largest drop in reading and science among participating nations. The results place Israel in the bottom quartile of OECD countries, ranking 31st in reading, 33rd in mathematics, and 33rd in science. The scores have regressed to levels not seen since 2006 for reading and math, and 2009 for science, representing the lowest in two decades.

A particularly concerning finding is the high percentage of students failing to reach basic proficiency. In mathematics, 46% of Israeli students struggle, compared to the OECD average of 35%. Similarly, 41% struggle with reading (OECD average 31%) and 40% with science (OECD average 26%). The report also notes a shrinking of the high-achieving student population, with the percentage of "excellent" students falling to 5% or less in all three subjects. Surprisingly, the steepest declines were not concentrated among the weakest students but rather among those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and in the state education system, including boys and students from high socioeconomic backgrounds.

Despite a narrowing of the gap between Hebrew and Arabic speakers in reading, this is attributed to the faster decline among Hebrew speakers rather than improvement among Arabic speakers, who still show very high rates of struggle. Internal disparities remain significant, with the gap between the top and bottom performing students placing Israel among the highest globally for inequality in academic achievement. A notable exception was observed among Haredi girls, whose performance in reading surpassed that of state-educated girls, and in math and science, they either closed or widened the gap in their favor.

The report also highlighted challenges in digital literacy, where Israel ranked 37th out of 38 OECD countries. Furthermore, a significant issue with the teaching force was identified, with half of Israeli students attending schools where teacher shortages impede learning, and nearly double the OECD average reporting issues with unqualified or inadequately trained teachers. Despite these academic challenges, Israeli students reported higher life satisfaction than their OECD peers, though a substantial portion, 37%, viewed school as a "waste of time."

The PISA 2025 tests were administered in Israel during March and April 2025, amidst the ongoing war, which led to the exclusion of students from evacuated areas and those directly affected by the conflict. While the report does not establish a causal link between the war and the decline, it presents a grim picture of an education system that has regressed significantly, facing widespread proficiency issues, growing inequality, and a strained teaching workforce.