European Union countries’ performance in PISA: Comparative Study

Valle Javier M. and Piñana Elena

This research aims to compare and analyse the relationship between the education success rates in the different EU countries in PISA 2012 and their specific economic, geographic or socio-cultural features. In this regard, the research requires a study to determine which factors can have a certain relationship with the results obtained in 2012 PISA reports, focusing on the countries of the EU as compared to the OECD average. Particularly, we have focused on factors such as the GDP, the standard deviation, the instructional time devoted to each subject, their geographic location, the youth unemployment rate and their official language. In short, our research consists of an approach to 2012 PISA results, comparing and analysing those factors that despite not being educational could be related in a certain way to education. The conclusions invite reflection and open the way for discussion and improvement of education systems in the EU.

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