Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea

South Korea: Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex was 15.0% in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)
15.0%
Change on year
down 3.2%
World rank
45th
of 49 countries
All-time high
15.5%
in 2015
All-time low
8.1%
in 2009
Years of data
6
2003–2018

Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea, 2003–2018

0510152003201020182003: 9.5 Percentage2006: 8.9 Percentage2009: 8.1 Percentage2012: 9.1 Percentage2015: 15.5 Percentage2018: 15 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

In 2018, low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea stood at 15.0%.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.2% on the previous year and up 85.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea peaked at 15.5% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 8.1%, in 2009.

South Korea ranks 45th of 49 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea, year by year

Annual values for Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea, 2003 to 2018.
Year Percentage Change
2003 9.5%
2006 8.9% -6.3%
2009 8.1% -9.0%
2012 9.1% +12.3%
2015 15.5% +70.3%
2018 15.0% -3.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 8.8% 8.1% 9.5% 3
2010s 13.2% 9.1% 15.5% 3

Countries ranked near South Korea

  1. 43 Ireland 19.0% compare
  2. 44 Switzerland 16.8% compare
  3. 45 Estonia 15.0% compare
  4. 45 Republic of Korea 15.0% compare
  5. 45 Estonia 15.0% compare

See the full ranking of 50 places →

More reference data data for South Korea

All data for South Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea?
Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea was 15.0% in 2018, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex recorded in South Korea?
The highest recorded value was 15.5% in 2015.
What is the lowest low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex recorded in South Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 8.1% in 2009.
How does South Korea rank for low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex?
South Korea ranks 45th out of 49 countries with data for 2018.
Is low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex rising or falling in South Korea?
Over the last ten years it is up 85.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Korea data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex in South Korea. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/low-achieving-15-year-olds-in-reading-mathematics-or-science-by-sex/south-korea/

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About this data

Indicator
Low achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics or science by sex
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
50 places, 323 data points, 2003–2022
Last refreshed