Highlights From the U.S. PIAAC Cycle 2 Results

The literacy and numeracy scores of U.S. adults were lower in 2023 than in previous years, according to the report Highlights of the 2023 U.S. PIAAC Results, released in December 2024 by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education.

The report presents results from data collected in 2023 during Cycle 2 of the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). PIAAC is a large-scale international study that measures the basic cognitive and workplace skills that working-age adults need for successful participation in today's society and the global economy.

In the United States, data for Cycle 1 were collected in 2012, 2014, and 2017. The report compares U.S. results from Cycle 2 with data from Cycle 1, including the 2017 data and the combined data from 2012 and 2014.

Key Findings

In 2023, average scores for the overall U.S. adult population and most subgroups were at “Level 2,” indicating basic functional proficiency.
The percentage of adults performing at lower skill levels increased since 2012/14 in both literacy and numeracy.
Between 2017 and 2023:
- Overall literacy and numeracy scores declined.
- Literacy scores declined for Black and Hispanic adults, males and females, native and non-native-born adults, all age groups, individuals at all self-reported levels of health, the employed, the unemployed, those out of the labor force, and individuals at all educational levels.
- Numeracy scores declined for Black and Hispanic adults, males and females, non-native-born adults, adults ages 55-65, those reporting fair or poor health, those out of the labor force, and adults with high school or lower educational attainment.
In 2023, there were no gender gaps in literacy or adaptive problem solving in the United States, but there was an 8-point difference favoring men in numeracy.

AIR's Technical Expertise and Management Support

AIR supported NCES in the release of the U.S. reports for PIAAC in both Cycles 1 and 2 by providing technical expertise and management support. This included reviewing report drafts and technical notes, preparing content for updates to the NCES website, and creating release-related materials such as briefings and presentations.

AIR’s experts also offer ongoing services throughout the PIAAC study, including expert analysis and analytical support, technical assistance and management support, survey and item development, technical review of statistical reports, and continuous outreach and dissemination.