Gender Gap in Math Widens Globally: Girls' Achievement Lags Behind Boys, New Study Shows

Recent data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) reveals a troubling reversal: the progress made in closing the gender gap in math achievement over the past decade has been erased, with girls now falling further behind boys globally. The pandemic appears to have exacerbated existing disparities, particularly affecting girls' learning opportunities and confidence. Below, we explore key findings and expert insights from the latest TIMSS report.

What are the key findings of the latest TIMSS data on gender gaps in math?

The 2023 TIMSS results show a clear and concerning trend: fourth-grade boys outperformed their female peers in the vast majority of participating countries, widening the gender gap that existed prior to the pandemic. Among eighth-graders, the rate of boys scoring higher than girls increased exponentially since 2019, reversing more than a decade of gradual gains in math equity. Specifically, 85 percent of countries saw top-performing fourth-grade results skewed toward boys. For eighth-grade advanced math, over half of countries favor boys, while none favor girls in either grade. The share of regions with a gender gap among fourth-graders failing to reach basic proficiency is also growing, with a higher proportion of struggling girls.

How did the pandemic contribute to the widening math gap between girls and boys?

Matthias Eck, program specialist at UNESCO, highlights a correlation between longer school closures and higher rates of learning loss in math, with variations across countries. The hypothesis is that pandemic disruptions exacerbated existing inequalities, reducing learning opportunities for girls, especially those already at risk of low achievement. Prolonged time out of school may have impacted girls' confidence in math, though this remains a hypothesis. The report suggests that girls' lack of access to structured learning environments during closures disproportionately affected their progress, while boys may have had more support or different learning dynamics at home.

Did boys always outperform girls in math before the pandemic?

No. Prior to the pandemic, data indicated that girls were catching up to boys in math achievement globally. For more than a decade, the gender gap had been shrinking, with improvements in math equity. The 2019 TIMSS results showed narrowing differences at both fourth and eighth grades. However, the 2023 data marks a sharp reversal, rolling back those gains. This trend is consistent with U.S. findings from the Nation's Report Card, which also saw widening gender gaps post-pandemic. The current situation is particularly concerning because it undermines years of effort to promote gender equality in STEM fields.

Are the patterns different between fourth-grade and eighth-grade students?

Yes, there are distinct patterns by grade level. For fourth-graders, the gender gap is most visible among top performers: 85 percent of countries have a male advantage at the advanced level. Additionally, the proportion of regions where girls underperform (below basic proficiency) is rising. For eighth-graders, the advanced math gap favors boys in over half of countries, but the picture is more mixed for underperformance: while the overall gender gap in underperformance is shrinking, the percentage of countries where girls have a higher failure rate spiked. This suggests that while more boys are reaching advanced levels, a growing number of girls are falling behind basic standards, creating a two-tier problem.

What do experts say about the causes of this widening gap?

Experts like Matthias Eck caution that while the data shows clear correlations, direct causation is difficult to establish. The primary hypothesis is that pandemic-related school closures disproportionately reduced learning opportunities for girls, possibly due to increased household responsibilities, lack of access to technology, or reduced teacher engagement. Additionally, girls' confidence in math may have suffered during extended absences from formal education. Researchers are also exploring socioeconomic factors, as girls from disadvantaged backgrounds appear to have been hit hardest. The report emphasizes that these trends are global, with no single country or region being immune, suggesting systemic issues rather than isolated incidents.

What is TIMSS and why is this data significant?

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a global assessment conducted every four years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) in partnership with UNESCO. It measures math and science achievement among fourth- and eighth-grade students across dozens of countries and territories. The 2023 data is particularly significant because it is the first set of TIMSS results to capture student performance after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a critical benchmark for understanding how global disruptions have affected learning outcomes, especially for vulnerable groups like girls. The study's longitudinal nature allows researchers to track changes in gender gaps over time.

What are the implications of these findings for math equity?

The widening gender gap in math threatens decades of progress toward equity in education and future STEM careers. Girls falling behind in math risk reduced opportunities in high-demand fields like engineering, technology, and data science. The trend also signals that pandemic-era policies and school closures had unintended negative consequences for girls' learning, especially in subjects where confidence and early skill-building are critical. Policymakers and educators must now prioritize targeted interventions to support girls in math, such as after-school programs, mentorship, and addressing biases in teaching. The data serves as a wake-up call to invest in gender-responsive education recovery strategies that ensure no group is left behind.