Finland a leading country in PIAAC adult population survey

Key information processing skills needed by Finland’s adult population (aged 16 to 65) in different areas of life were assessed in the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). The survey focused on literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills. By international standards, Finland ranked at the top in literacy and numeracy skills.

The survey, organised by the OECD, was conducted in 31 countries and economies. The previous cycle of the PIAAC survey was published in 2013. By international standards, Finland is among the few countries where the skills of the adult population have actually improved from just over a decade ago. 

Finland ranks first in literacy in the PIAAC survey

In Finland, the average score for literacy, at 296 score points, was the best in the participating countries and economies. This is 36 points higher than the OECD average. Japan ranked second and Sweden third. 

Adult literacy improved from the previous 2012 survey in Finland and Denmark (15 points and 9 points respectively over the course of 11 years). 

The percentage of adults in Finland, at 35 per cent, who were in the highest and second-highest scales (levels 4 and 5) in literacy proficiency, was the best among all the participating countries and economies. The percentage in Japan was 23 per cent and 20 per cent in Sweden. The OECD average was 12 per cent. Altogether 71 per cent of Finnish adults ranked at least at proficiency level 3, which in itself denotes good literacy skills too. The OECD average was 43 per cent. Finnish adults aged between 16 and 65 with low level of proficiency in literacy (below level 2) amounted to 12 per cent. 

Finland also first in numeracy

Among the 31 countries and economies that took part in the survey, Finland's 16 to 65-year-olds performed best in numeracy, too. Finland’s average score for numeracy was 294, which is 31 points higher than the OECD average. The ranking order among the best-performing countries and economies (Japan, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands) is the same as in literacy. 

Over the past decade, proficiency has improved more in numeracy than in literacy. Out of 27 participating countries, proficiency in numeracy has improved in eight countries, the most in Finland (17 score points).   

Altogether 31 per cent of adults in Finland rank in the highest and second-highest scales (levels 4 and 5) in numeracy, and 67 per cent reached at least a proficiency level of 3. The OECD average was 45 per cent. Finnish adults with a low proficiency level in numeracy (below level 2) amounted to 12 per cent. The percentages in Finland and Sweden (12%) are the second smallest after Japan (10%). 

Finland shares top rank with Japan in problem-solving skills

Finland, together with Japan, ranks at the top in proficiency in adaptive problem solving. Both countries had a score point of 276. Sweden and Norway were in second place (score points 273 and 271 respectively). The average score in problem-solving proficiency in the OECD countries was 251 points.

Wide differences in proficiency between age groups

In Finland, the skills levels of adults aged between 20 and 29 was the highest in all domains. The poorest skills levels were among adults between the ages of 60 and 65. The average skills levels in all domains in all age groups in Finland was higher than the OECD average. It is worth observing that in the 2012 survey the skills levels of Finnish adults aged between 55 and 65 were below the OECD average. 

In the youngest age group (16 to 19-year-olds), proficiency in literacy was at the same level as in the 2012 survey. In all other age groups, the level rose from the earlier PIAAC survey. In this survey, proficiency in numeracy in the youngest age group was higher than in the earlier survey.

The information processing skills of adults in Finland improved up to about the age of 40, and only the skills of those aged between 60 and 65 were significantly poorer than those in the same cohort at ages 50 to 55 in the previous PIAAC survey. 

No significant gender differences in average skills levels in Finland

Women are somewhat more proficient in literacy than men whereas men are more proficient in numeracy. A poor proficiency level in literacy (level 1 or less) was found among 14 per cent of men and among ten per cent of women, while 36 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women reached the highest and second-highest scales (levels 4 or 5) in numeracy. Gender differences were minimal in the domain of problem solving. 

Significant differences in skills between immigrants and the rest of the population

In Finland, the difference in literacy proficiency between first generation immigrants (parents and participants born in another country) and the rest of the population was the widest, at 105 score points. However, the difference decreased considerably, down to 59 points, after accounting for differences in socio-demographic characteristics. However, the difference is still one of the biggest in the survey. Like in other countries, the difference in literacy proficiency diminishes in Finland, too, if the language spoken at home is the same as the language used in the survey (Finnish or Swedish) and if the participants have lived in Finland for more than five years.

Educational level strongly linked to proficiency 

Formal education plays a major role and educational levels are strongly linked to proficiency. In Finland, the average points score in literacy was 224 for those without an upper secondary qualification, 288 for those with an upper secondary qualification and 313 for those with a tertiary level qualification. The average score has remained unchanged among those at the lowest educational level while the average score among those with a secondary or tertiary qualification has improved since the last survey. The educational level of parents is also clearly linked to proficiency levels both in Finland and in the rest of the participating countries and economies. 

Qualifications not always compatible with job requirements

One in five wage-earners between the ages of 25 to 65 in Finland believe they have a higher qualification than required for their job and one in ten believe they are underqualified for their job. The percentage of overqualified adults is slightly higher in Finland than the average for the OECD countries (23%) and the percentage of underqualified adults in Finland is at the same level as the OECD average (9%). 

With 17 per cent of the participants being in a job that corresponds to their field of study, Finland had the highest percentage of adults employed in a job in their own field of study among the 31 participating countries and economies. 

Key information processing skills correlate with wellbeing, political efficacy and social trust 

In Finland, nine out of ten adults between 16 and 65 are satisfied with their lives. This is the highest percentage among all the participating countries and economies. The percentage in the OECD countries is about three out of four. Those whose key information processing skills are poorer are slightly less satisfied with their lives, but no other significant links were identified between information processing skills and life satisfaction. The link was more straightforward in the OECD countries than in Finland. 

Altogether 42 per cent of Finnish respondents aged between 16 and 65 felt they are very healthy or in perfect health. This percentage is lower than in the rest of the Nordic countries and in the OECD countries on average. 

In Finland, 31 per cent of participants believe their opportunities to have a say in politics are good. This is one of the highest figures among the participating countries.   

Altogether 68 per cent of Finnish adults felt they can trust people. This is one of the of the highest percentages among the participating countries right after Denmark (71%). The better the information processing skills of adults are, the more likely they are to feel they can trust others.

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The first PIAAC survey was conducted between 2011 and 2012. A second, large collection of data was carried out between 2022 and 2023 by Statistics Finland.  A randomised group of participants aged between 16 and 65 in 31 countries and economies participated in the survey. They responded to a comprehensive questionnaire and took part in extensive skills tests using tablets. The interviews were conducted in person and the interviewers were present while the participants participated in the tests. The literacy and numeracy test results can be compared with the results of the previous survey. Altogether 4,061 adults took part in the survey in Finland and the response rate was 34 per cent. 

Inquiries:

• Joonas Mannonen, Project Researcher, (Finnish Institute for Educational Research / University of Jyväskylä), tel. +358 40 658 3062
• Kari Nissinen, Reseacher, (Finnish Institute for Educational Research / University of Jyväskylä), tel. +358 40 805 4268
• Maija Lyly-Yrjänäinen, Chief Specialist, (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment), tel. +358 295 047 297 
• Petri Haltia, Senior Ministerial Adviser, (Ministry of Education and Culture), tel. +358 295 330 096

Research report Link to an external website(Publications of the Finnish Government)