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PIAAC: Survey of adult skills

Share at low literacy
2022/23
29.0%
Increased +11.9 percentage points compared to 2011/12
Share at low numeracy
2022/23
22.6%
Increased +6.7 percentage points compared to 2011/12
Share at low adaptive problem solving
2022/23
27.1%
Decreased -2.1 percentage points compared to OECD average 2022/23

PIAAC (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) is an ongoing international program by the OECD that assesses basic skills (literacy, numeracy, and adaptive problem solving) among adults aged 16 to 65. 

In Austria, the study is conducted by Statistics Austria on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. 

The explanatory video (2 minutes) presents the main facts. 

The 2022/23 survey marks the second international comparison after 2011/12. The results are published in three publications:

Volume 1 focuses on the distribution of basic skills in relation to sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, and educational attainment.

Volume 2 offers in-depth analyses of the links between basic skills and labor market characteristics, as well as reading habits in both leisure and work contexts.

The expert report comprises a total of twelve contributions with in-depth analyses by scientists from various research disciplines.

S: PIAAC 2022/23, PIAAC Data Explorer of the OECD. – Population aged 16 to 65, including doorstep interviews. – OECD average: unweighted mean of the 29 OECD participating countries (excl. Croatia and Singapore). – Selected countries are shown. – Compiled on 10th December 2024.

S: STATISTICS AUSTRIA, PIAAC 2022/23. – Population aged 16 to 65, including doorstep interviews. – The employment status was classified according to the respondents' self-assessment. – For people who completed a doorstep interview, an educational qualification obtained abroad was assumed. BMS incl. 3rd/4th grade BHS qualification. – Cells with less than 40 cases are not displayed. – Compiled on 10th December 2024.

Date Title PDF download
2025-12-05 file Education has the greatest influence on literacy skills
86.5 KB
2025-05-27 file Literacy skills of adults diverge
151.0 KB
2024-12-10 file Literacy of adults in Austria declined, numeracy above OECD average
196.8 KB

Image preview Title Published Product type Price in €
Preview image for 'PIAAC 2022/23: Basic Skills of Adults; Expert report' PIAAC 2022/23: Basic Skills of Adults; Expert report

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an initiative…

12/2025

49.00

Preview image for 'PIAAC 2022/23: Basic Skills of Adults; National Report – Volume 2' PIAAC 2022/23: Basic Skills of Adults; National Report – Volume 2

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an initiative…

05/2025

38.00

Preview image for 'PIAAC 2022/23: Basic Skills of Adults; National Report – Volume 1' PIAAC 2022/23: Basic Skills of Adults; National Report – Volume 1

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is a program for the…

12/2024

PDF,  3.7 MB

0.00

38.00

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Infopoint Phone: +43 1 711 28-7070
info@statistik.gv.at Available on weekdays from 9.00 am–4.00 pm
Last updated on 2025-12-05.