SG adults improve ranking in literacy and numeracy proficiency

Singapore ranked 10th in numeracy and 18th in literacy.

Singapore adults emerged as the most improved in the second cycle of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC).

In Cycle 2, Singapore ranked 10th out of 31 countries in numeracy, up from 25th out of 39 in Cycle 1. It also placed 18th out of 31 in literacy, 10 places from 28th of 39, previously.

Singapore placed 14th out of 31 in adaptive problem-solving, which was only introduced in Cycle 2. Singapore registered a mean score of 252, which is comparable to the OECD mean score of 251.

The PIAAC assesses the proficiency of adults in literacy, numeracy, and adaptive problem-solving skills. The OECD recognises these proficiencies as key information-processing skills that enable an adult to acquire new knowledge and skills.

For Cycle 2, about 5,000 Singaporeans aged between 16 and 65 participated. The study found that Singapore adults improved in literacy and numeracy whilst younger adults scored above average.

PIAAC respondents also contributed information about themselves and their jobs. For Singapore, workforce participation in continual education remains comparable to the OECD average.

Moreover, most of those who participated in job-related training did so to enhance their job performance or career prospects.

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