Teenagers Are Reading Worse Than 20 Years Ago

In a new international test, teenagers' reading scores are at their lowest level this century. The test, called PISA, asked about 760,000 15-year-olds in 91 countries and economies to answer questions in reading, maths and science.

Reuters reported that the reading score was 466 in 2025. It was 501 in 2012. The OECD says more screen time and less reading for pleasure go together with weaker results. But this does not prove that screens cause lower scores.

Some places in East Asia, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Chinese regions, were among the top performers. The results are a warning that reading needs time and care.