An education expert says around one-third of young Europeans are “functionally illiterate,” pointing to results highlighted in the latest OECD PISA assessments. Maciej Jakubowski, director of Poland’s Educational Research Institute, describes a share of students who do not demonstrate sufficient reading and functional literacy skills for everyday tasks.
Jakubowski says the PISA report shows deterioration across many European countries, although the extent varies by nation. He frames the issue as a broader educational challenge rather than limited to a single system, linking literacy outcomes to performance in reading-related competencies measured by PISA. Euronews presents the statement as part of the discussion around trends in European education and student achievement.
Across the provided coverage, the core points are consistent: the “one-third” figure, the reliance on OECD PISA data, and the claim of declining performance in most European countries. Neither outlet provides detailed breakdowns by country, methodology, or year in the quoted material.
