Türkiye makes historic gains in science and math rankings, outpacing many OECD and European countries.
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| Türkiye’s education system shines in TIMSS 2023, with students achieving top global and regional scores in science and math. Image Courtesy: AA/ via DS |
Ankara, Turkiye --- January 3, 2025:
Türkiye has achieved remarkable success in the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), securing top positions in science and mathematics among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European countries.
The nation ranked second in science among OECD countries and claimed the top spot in Europe for fourth-grade students. Conducted every four years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), TIMSS evaluates the math and science proficiency of fourth and eighth-grade students globally.
The 2023 assessment involved 658,172 students from 58 countries at the fourth-grade level and 44 countries at the eighth-grade level. In Türkiye, 9,466 students from 282 schools participated in the study between May 2 and May 26, 2023.
Türkiye’s fourth-grade science scores reflected significant progress, reaching an average of 570 points—a 44-point increase from 2019. This placed Türkiye fourth globally and second among OECD nations, trailing only South Korea. Notably, Türkiye topped all European nations, outperforming countries like the U.K., Finland, and Poland.
At the eighth-grade level, Türkiye’s average science score rose by 15 points to 530, securing seventh place globally and fifth among OECD countries. This improvement saw Türkiye surpass nations such as Sweden, Australia, and the U.S.
In mathematics, Türkiye’s fourth-grade students achieved an average score of 553 points, a 30-point increase from 2019. This performance ranked Türkiye eighth globally and fourth among OECD nations, ahead of the U.K., Ireland, and the Netherlands.
Eighth-grade students also demonstrated progress, with an average score of 509 points, exceeding the international average of 500. This 13-point improvement elevated Türkiye to 13th globally and 10th among OECD nations.
The Ministry of Education highlighted Türkiye’s steady progress since it began participating in TIMSS in 1999. The 2023 results underscore the country’s significant strides, placing it among the fastest-improving nations globally.
Türkiye’s outstanding performance in TIMSS 2023 reflects a rising standard of education and cements its position as a global leader in academic excellence.