6 Startling Findings About the Growing Gender Gap in Math Achievement
The latest international data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) reveals a troubling reversal: after years of progress toward gender equity in math, girls are now falling further behind boys. Released in partnership with UNESCO, the 2023 results show widening gaps in both fourth and eighth grades, erasing gains made over the past decade. Below are six critical takeaways from this report that every educator and policymaker needs to understand.
1. Fourth-Grade Boys Now Outperform Girls in Most Countries
In 2023, male fourth-graders scored higher than their female peers in a vast majority of schools globally. This marks a significant increase from pre-pandemic data, where the gender gap was narrower. The gap is especially pronounced among top performers: in 85 percent of the countries and territories studied, boys dominated the advanced achievement tier. No nations showed a reverse advantage for girls at either grade level. This shift signals that the pandemic may have disproportionately impacted girls' foundational math skills.
2. Eighth-Grade Gender Gap Has Grown Exponentially Since 2019
Among eighth-graders, the rate at which boys outperform girls has accelerated sharply since the last TIMSS assessment in 2019. The proportion of countries where boys hold a significant lead in advanced math has more than doubled. This reverses the slow but steady gains in math equity observed over the previous decade. Matthias Eck, a UNESCO program specialist and report co-author, notes that earlier data showed girls catching up, but the latest numbers reveal a worrying backtrack.
3. Longer School Closures Linked to Greater Learning Loss for Girls
The analysis found a correlation between the duration of pandemic-related school closures and the severity of math learning loss, particularly for girls. While the exact causes remain under investigation, Eck hypothesizes that prolonged absence from structured learning environments may have eroded girls' confidence and opportunities. Disruptions likely amplified existing disparities, hitting at-risk female students hardest. Countries with extended closures saw wider gender gaps than those with shorter disruptions.
4. More Girls Are Failing to Reach Basic Proficiency in Fourth Grade
The share of regions where fourth-grade girls fail to meet basic math proficiency is on the rise. In a growing number of countries, a higher proportion of girls than boys are performing at the lowest achievement level. This contrasts with the broader trend in earlier years, where fewer girls were in the bottom tier. The data suggests that the pandemic's impact may have pushed many girls below the threshold of fundamental numeracy, a critical concern for long-term educational outcomes.
5. Eighth-Grade Underperformance Gap Is Shrinking—but for the Wrong Reasons
Interestingly, the gender gap in low achievement among eighth-graders has narrowed. However, this is not because girls are improving—rather, it is because boys' failure rates have risen to approach girls' levels. The proportion of countries where girls have a higher failure rate has actually spiked, even as the overall gap shrinks. This indicates that both genders are struggling, but girls remain disproportionately in the underperforming group, a nuance that risks being overlooked.
6. The U.S. Sees Same Trend in Its Own National Data
The international pattern is mirrored in the United States, where the Nation's Report Card (NAEP) released last year showed a widening gender gap in math. American fourth and eighth graders exhibited similar disparities, with boys gaining ground over girls. This alignment between global and national data underscores that the problem is not confined to specific education systems but represents a widespread challenge requiring coordinated intervention strategies.
What This Means Going Forward
The TIMSS findings are a wake-up call. After years of effort to close the math gender gap, progress is slipping away. To reverse this trend, policymakers must invest in targeted support for girls, especially in foundational math skills, and address pandemic-related learning loss with equity-focused approaches. As Eck puts it, “The data is quite concerning—we need to act now to ensure that gains in gender equality are not lost.” The future of millions of students depends on it.