Share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math in Japan
Japan: Share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math was 91.73 in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math in Japan, 2003–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math in Japan is 91.73, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math in Japan peaked at 91.73 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 86.78, in 2011.
That places Japan 1st out of 63 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
Share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math in Japan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 88.21 | — |
| 2007 | 86.79 | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 86.78 | -0.0% |
| 2015 | 89.1 | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 91.71 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 91.73 | +0.0% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 91.73 is above the median for high income countries, which is 72.68, 1.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
- Japan's 91.73 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 83.78, 1.1× the median. (9 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 87.5 | 86.79 | 88.21 | 2 |
| 2010s | 89.2 | 86.78 | 91.71 | 3 |
| 2020s | 91.73 | 91.73 | 91.73 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More education data for Japan
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.88 (2013)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.93 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 627,777 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (1999)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.50 million (1999)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.46 million (1999)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.61 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.25 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.01 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math in Japan?
- Share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math in Japan was 91.73 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 91.73 in 2023.
- What is the lowest share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 86.78 in 2011.
- How does Japan rank for share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math?
- Japan ranks 1st out of 63 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of students achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math by education level. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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