Canadian adults match global peers in reading, fall short in math: OECD test

TORONTO – Canadians aren’t faring so well globally in math, but they can hold their own when it comes to reading — and a relatively high number are good at solving problems using a computer.

That’s according to the results of an international test administered to roughly 166,000 people ages 16 to 65 in more than 20 countries and regions.

The International Assessment of Adult Competencies was developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which is made up of mostly industrialized member countries.

The results were released today.

They show Canadians were below average in math, but on par with it in reading.

And a comparatively high proportion — 36.5 per cent — got an advanced score in problem-solving using technology. The international average is 34 per cent.