New Insights from Finland
The OECD’s latest international survey of adult skills (age range 16-65 years) has been published. PIAAC draws on data from 31 countries and economies. Finland ranks first for literacy and numeracy, and shares the top spot for adaptive problem-solving with Japan.
Finnish literacy and numeracy rates have improved significantly since the previous study in 2012. Literacy skills among respondents aged 16-24 declined in all countries except the United Kingdom, Finland, and Norway. The best overall performing countries—Finland, Japan, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands—excelled in both literacy and numeracy.
One key finding highlights adaptive problem-solving, also referred to as ‘systems thinking’ and ‘situational adaptability.’ This involves having the knowledge, competences, and confidence to adapt to change and navigate preferred pathways in personal and working life. Adaptive problem-solving is increasingly seen as a critical competence for modern personal and professional contexts, essential for building future-readiness.
The report summary emphasizes: ‘Developing adaptability is necessary. Education and training providers must be more responsive to changing demands and ensure that the right skills are being provided in the most effective ways. This demands forward thinking and more flexibility in the provision of training, giving learners greater ownership over what, how, and when they learn’ (2024:7).
Key takeaways from the Finnish results reveal that the age group 20-29 years scored the highest. There were no significant gender differences, and educational level strongly correlated with skills in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. Personal satisfaction with life was the highest among all participating countries. Following Denmark, Finnish respondents also reported a high level of trust in other people.
In Finland, these outcomes may be attributed to a strong emphasis on systematically fostering career development across the lifespan, with a focus on education that provides opportunities for skilling, upskilling, and re-skilling. One key lever for success has been rethinking career development or guidance. Historically, this was primarily a psychology-oriented service aimed at individuals facing challenges or navigating life transitions. The modern approach, however, is multi-disciplinary and integrated into curricula and society. It is experiential, connected to government forecasting, and aligned with the needs of working life and social partners. This inclusive and accessible model serves students of all ages as well as adults outside formal education.
This AI-generated podcast further describes the survey’s Finnish results.
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This AI-generated video also describes the survey’s Finnish results:
Schleicher, A. & Scarpetta, S. (2024) Insights and Interpretations: Survey of Adult Skills 2023, Paris: OECD Publishing.
OECD (2024), Do Adults Have the Skills They Need to Thrive in a Changing World? Survey of Adult Skills 2023, OECD Skills Studies, Paris: OECD Publishing.