A total of 31 countries and economies, mostly OECD members, participated in the 2023 survey.

The survey provides a comprehensive overview of adults’ literacy, numeracy, and adaptive problem solving skills – skills that are fundamental for personal, economic, and societal development. These skills provide the foundation for access to employment, higher wages and continuous learning, while enabling individuals to navigate the complexities of their personal and civic lives.

Better numeracy skills are positively associated with greater life satisfaction and higher wages. These skills are key to maintaining a strong and productive workforce and helping adults to meaningfully participate in democracy. Yet almost one-fifth of adults are now considered low performers in numeracy, literacy and problem-solving.