10 best countries for science in 2026, ranked
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Which countries perform best in science? The latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results compare the science skills of 15-year-old students across participating countries and economies worldwide.
Top 10 Countries and Economies for Science in 2026
China’s four regions of Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang recorded the highest average science score at 597. Together, they top the 2025 PISA science ranking, while Asian education systems account for seven of the top 10 entries.
The ranking is based on PISA 2025 science scores, published in September 2026, according to Visual Capitalist.
- China (Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang) — 597
China tops the science ranking with an average score of 597. The result covers students from Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the four Chinese regions assessed separately under PISA
- Singapore — 560
Singapore ranks second with an average science score of 560, trailing B-S-J-Z (China) by 37 points. Its performance places it among Asia’s leading education systems in science.
- Macao — 541
Macao ranks third with an average science score of 541. It narrowly outperforms Chinese Taipei, which scores 540, and Japan, which records 538.
- Chinese Taipei — 540
Chinese Taipei ranks fourth with an average science score of 540, just one point behind Macao and two points ahead of Japan.
- Japan — 538
Japan ranks fifth with an average science score of 538, placing it among the five highest-performing countries and economies in the assessment.
- Estonia — 527
Estonia ranks sixth with an average science score of 527. It is the highest-ranked European country in the top 10 and stands out among the region’s strongest performers in science.
- Korea — 526
Korea ranks seventh with an average science score of 526, just one point below Estonia. Its performance further highlights the strong showing of East Asian education systems in the ranking.
- United Kingdom — 511
The United Kingdom ranks eighth with an average science score of 511, 16 points behind Korea. It is the second-highest-ranked European country in the top 10, after Estonia.
- Canada — 510
Canada ranks ninth with an average science score of 510, one point below the United Kingdom.
- New Zealand — 509
New Zealand rounds out the top 10 with an average science score of 509, just one point behind Canada.
Where Does the United States Rank in Science?
The United States ranks 13th with an average science score of 502, placing it 20 points above the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 482.
However, the United States falls short of several leading education systems, including Finland, which ranks 12th with a score of 504.
Asia Dominates the Top of the Science Ranking
Asian education systems account for seven of the top 10 entries, with B-S-J-Z (China), Singapore, Macao, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea among the highest performers. Estonia is the only European country in the top seven.
Beyond science scores, the OECD has also highlighted the relationship between academic performance and students’ socio-economic backgrounds. B-S-J-Z (China), Japan, Korea and Macao are among the education systems that combine strong science performance with relatively high levels of socio-economic fairness.
Digital distraction is another concern in science education. Across OECD countries, 28 percent of students reported that their peers were distracted by digital devices during most or every science lesson. The proportion was below 10 percent in B-S-J-Z (China), Japan and Korea.
Students who reported digital distractions during science lessons scored an average of 11 points lower than those who did not, according to the OECD.
Despite strong results from several education systems, the broader PISA 2025 findings point to a decline in science performance across OECD countries.
The OECD average science score fell to 482 points in 2025, reaching its lowest recorded level in the assessment, according to the report.
Pandu Aryo contributed to the writing of this article.
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