The literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills of Canadians aged 16 to 65 were above the average of the 27 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries participating in the 2022 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC).
These three foundational skills enable individuals to engage and function effectively across a broad spectrum of everyday situations, to achieve personal goals, navigate mathematical challenges, define problems and seek relevant information. These skills also support individuals' capacity to adapt, and manage change and uncertainty.
In Canada, Cycle 2 of PIAAC was collected in 2022 and 2023, 11 years after Cycle 1 (2012). The survey assesses information-processing skills of working-age adults, defined in PIAAC as individuals aged 16 to 65 at the time of data collection, across all participating OECD countries.
The new PIAAC data allow for comparisons of how Canadians' skills have evolved over the last decade and how they measure up internationally. When looking at the comparable population in both cycles, results show that the average numeracy score increased slightly in Canada since 2012, while the literacy score was stable. Adaptive problem-solving skills were not measured in 2012.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).