Spain's PISA 2025 Results: Gen Z Reading Scores Hit Historic Low 2026

Spain's PISA 2025 results have delivered a historic blow to the country's education system, with reading scores among 15- and 16-year-olds plummeting to unprecedented lows. The latest OECD report, released this morning, shows Spain falling below the OECD average in mathematics, science, and reading, with scores declining across all three disciplines compared to 2022. This marks the most discouraging educational picture since the report began at the start of the century.

The assessment, which tested 30,000 students from nearly 1,000 Spanish secondary schools, paints a grim outlook. Not only are Spanish students performing worse than in the previous study, but their scores are also significantly lower than the EU and OECD averages. While the overall picture is bleak, one alarm bell rings especially loud: the loss of reading comprehension among young people, a trend that extends beyond Spain to other countries.

What the PISA 2025 Results Reveal

PISA, the Programme for International Student Assessment, is conducted every three years by the OECD to evaluate the academic performance of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics, and science. The 2025 edition focused on reading, and the findings for Spain are stark. Scores have dropped several points in all three areas compared to 2022, continuing a downward trend that has now reached a historic low.

The decline is not isolated to Spain; many OECD countries have seen similar drops. However, Spain's position is particularly concerning because it now lags behind the OECD average in all three subjects. This suggests that the Spanish education system is struggling to equip students with the basic skills needed for success in higher education and the workforce.

Why Reading Comprehension Is Plummeting

The most troubling finding is the sharp decline in reading comprehension. This skill is foundational for learning in all other subjects, and its erosion has wide-ranging implications. Several factors may contribute to this decline, though the report does not pinpoint a single cause.

One likely factor is the increasing dominance of digital media. Young people today spend hours scrolling through social media, watching short videos, and consuming fragmented information online. This habit may reduce their ability to focus on longer texts and engage in deep reading. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education for months, leaving many students without consistent reading instruction during critical years.

Another possible contributor is the lack of emphasis on reading for pleasure. As screen time rises, time spent with books has decreased. Without regular practice, reading skills stagnate or decline. The report highlights that students who read for enjoyment score significantly higher on PISA tests, yet fewer young people report reading for fun.

How Spain Compares to Other Countries

Spain is not alone in facing this challenge. Several other OECD countries have also seen declines in reading scores, suggesting a broader shift in how young people engage with text. However, Spain's drop is more pronounced than average, and its scores are now below those of many peers.

For example, countries like Estonia and Finland continue to outperform Spain in reading, despite similar levels of digital adoption. This indicates that other factors, such as teaching methods and curriculum focus, play a role. Spain's education system may need to reevaluate how reading is taught and how to foster a love of reading from an early age.

What This Means for Spain's Future Workforce

The decline in reading comprehension has serious implications for Spain's economy and society. Reading is not just about literature; it is essential for understanding contracts, following instructions, and analyzing information in any job. A generation with weak reading skills may struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing labor market.

Employers already report difficulties finding candidates with strong communication and critical thinking skills. If reading comprehension continues to decline, Spain could face a skills gap that hampers productivity and innovation. Moreover, weak reading skills are linked to lower civic engagement and poorer health outcomes, as people may struggle to understand health information and public policies.

What Can Be Done to Reverse the Trend

Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach. Schools must prioritize reading instruction across all subjects, not just in language classes. Teachers can incorporate more nonfiction texts and encourage students to analyze and discuss what they read. Additionally, parents can help by limiting screen time and reading with their children. The background to this story is set out in Naplan Results 2025: Reading and Writing Decline in Australian. A related thread runs through Naplan Results Show Reading and Writing Decline Across Australian. Earlier coverage in Why Asian Students Outperform Spanish Peers in PISA 2025 shows how the argument developed.

Policy makers should consider investing in early childhood education and providing resources for struggling readers. Public libraries and community programs can also play a role in promoting reading for pleasure. Finally, technology itself can be part of the solution, with apps and platforms designed to improve reading skills through interactive and engaging content. A closer look at the same subject appears in US Math and Reading Test Scores Hit 25-Year Low. Anyone following the wider picture can start with GCSE Results 2025: Girls Lead but Gender Gap Narrows. The same theme surfaces in GCSE Results 2025: Gender Gap Narrows, Grades Show Resilience, which takes a different angle.

Key Takeaways from the PISA 2025 Report

• Spain's reading, math, and science scores have dropped to historic lows, falling below OECD averages.
• Reading comprehension among 15-16 year-olds has declined sharply, with digital media and pandemic disruptions as likely factors.
• The decline is not unique to Spain, but its drop is more severe than in many other countries.
• Weak reading skills threaten Spain's future workforce and economic competitiveness.
• Reversing the trend requires efforts from schools, parents, and policy makers to promote deep reading.

PISA 2025 Score Comparison: Spain vs. OECD and EU Averages

Note: Exact scores are not provided in the source; the table reflects the reported trends. Context on how this played out before sits in A-level Results 2025: Boosting Britain's Educational Confidence. A companion piece, European Education Powerhouses Hit by Falling Pisa Scores, approaches the same subject from another angle.