New comparative report on adult skills in the Nordic-Baltic region
Based on the most recent data from PIAAC Cycle 2, the forthcoming thematic report will examine differences in adult skills across the Nordic-Baltic countries in a comparative perspective.
While countries in the region generally perform above the OECD average in literacy and numeracy, results from the latest cycle reveal important variation between countries. For example, Finland has significantly higher average scores in both literacy and numeracy than the other Nordic-Baltic countries. The thematic report will therefore focus on analysing to what extent cross-country differences in skills can be explained by population characteristics such as the age, educational attainment or immigration background of their inhabitants, and to what extent they may reflect institutional or policy-related factors. The aim is to provide new knowledge on how differences in adult competencies develop and how they are shaped by national education systems and lifelong learning opportunities across the Nordic-Baltic countries.
The report is expected to be published in autumn 2026 and will contribute to increased use of PIAAC data for research and policy development in the Nordic-Baltic countries.
Nordic-Baltic PIAAC Conference in Jyväskylä
The analytical work will be complemented by a Nordic-Baltic PIAAC Conference held at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland on 26–27 August 2026.
The event will open with sessions presenting new PIAAC-based follow-up studies on adult skills in the Nordic-Baltic region, featuring keynote sessions addressing policy-relevant topics such as how to support low-skilled adults, or respond to changing skill needs in times of AI. The conference will also include interactive formats such as a PIAAC “World Café” session designed to facilitate dialogue between researchers and policymakers across the Nordic-Baltic countries (see preliminary program).
Parallel contributed paper sessions take place on both days, showcasing the latest policy-relevant research findings from our international PIAAC research community. For instance, researchers have combined PIAAC data with national register data and PISA data to study the development and outcomes of skills across the lifespan.
Together, the thematic report and the regional conference will contribute to improving knowledge about adult competencies and to supporting evidence-based policies for lifelong learning and skills development in the Nordic-Baltic countries.
