In 2022, five Western Balkan economies – Albania, Kosovo,1 Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which measures what 15-year-old students know and can do in mathematics, reading and science. PISA 2022 was the first large-scale study to collect data on student performance, well-being and equity before and after the COVID-19-related disruptions. Using data from PISA 2022, this report examines student outcomes, equity in performance and education opportunities, and the learning environment in and outside of school in the Western Balkans. The report focuses particularly on mathematics performance, which was the main subject assessed in 2022. The analysis provides insights to identify key areas for policymaking that can lead to improved schooling and student outcomes in the region.
