Brazil participated for the first time in TIMSS 2023 (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), an international assessment that measures the performance of 4th- and 8th-grade students in mathematics and science. The results, released by the IEA (International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement), highlighted a challenging reality for the country, which scored below the international average in both areas assessed.

With 650,500 students from 72 countries or education systems participating, TIMSS revealed how Brazilian students performed compared to their peers around the world, placing the country among those with the lowest scores.

Math and Science Results

In 4th grade, Brazil scored an average of 400 points, outperforming only countries such as Morocco (393), Kuwait (382), and South Africa (362). The international average was 503 points, with Singapore (615), Chinese Taipei (607), and the Republic of Korea (594) standing out.

In 8th grade, Brazilian students scored an average of 378 points, tied with Morocco, with both countries scoring significantly below the global average of 478 points. The top-performing countries included Singapore (605) and Chinese Taipei (602).

In science, Brazil scored an average of 425 points in 4th grade, below the international average of 494 points, but ahead of countries such as Azerbaijan (422), Morocco (390), and South Africa (308). At the top of the rankings, Singapore (607) and South Korea (583) retained their top positions.

In 8th grade, the Brazilian average was 420 points, while the global average was 478 points. Despite this, Brazil outperformed countries such as South Africa (362) and Morocco (327). Once again, Singapore (606) topped the rankings, followed by Chinese Taipei (572) and Japan (557).

Factors Associated with Performance

The study highlighted that factors such as bullying, socioeconomic status, and a sense of belonging at school directly influence student performance. In 4th grade, 24% of Brazilian students reported being bullied, and these students scored, on average, 368 points in math and 387 points in science, compared to 427 and 459 points, respectively, for those who almost never or never faced this problem.

In 8th grade, 23% of students who reported being bullied performed below average, scoring 346 points in math and 384 in science, while those who reported not being bullied scored an average of 403 and 446 points, respectively.

National Overview and Outlook

The TIMSS assessment in Brazil was coordinated by INEP (National Institute for Educational Studies and Research), with the participation of 44,900 students from public and private schools. According to INEP, the results offer a new perspective on the performance of younger Brazilian students, complementing the data from PISA, which assesses 15-year-olds.

The results highlight the need for measures to improve the quality of basic education in Brazil, especially in mathematics and science—fields that are crucial to the country’s scientific and technological development.

Source: Ministry of Education.

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