According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a number of international studies have recorded a decline in the population’s cognitive skills in recent years.
Declines in attention span, logical reasoning and problem-solving
Analyses of the cited studies indicate a reduction in attention span, capacity for logical thought and problem-solving skills across various population samples. The report notes that these changes affect both young people and adults, not just the current generation of children.
Researchers also highlight a decline in mathematical literacy — the ability to work with numbers and understand mathematical concepts — alongside deteriorating logical skills and problem-solving.
An increasing share of people with poor mathematical literacy
The share of people unable to use mathematical reasoning when analysing and evaluating the validity of claims has risen by 25% worldwide. In the United States (US) this figure is 35%.
This increase concerns not only arithmetic but also the logical skills needed to assess arguments and data that rely on mathematics as a tool.
The pandemic and a longer-term trend since 2012
The report states that the 2020 pandemic caused major disruptions to education and exacerbated declines in skills, particularly among young people. However, tests indicate the decreases began earlier.
Specifically, test results show that cognitive indicators, by estimates, began falling as early as 2012, and some assessments indicate a larger decline in the period 2012–2018 than during or after the pandemic.
Implications for the labour market, education and exports
Declines in logical thinking, problem-solving and mathematical literacy may affect labour productivity and the qualification needs of the workforce, which matters for labour markets and exports. This is relevant for countries competing in global markets, including Ukraine.
The authors of the collected studies emphasise the long-term consequences of education disruptions and the need for time to fully understand the impact of the 2020 events on learning outcomes.
