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Contact UsPercentage of 4th- and 8th-grade students on Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) who reported that they like learning mathematics,1 by education system: 2011
PDF Version 
1 Students who like learning mathematics are those in the "Like Learning
Mathematics" category of the TIMSS 2011 Students Like Learning Mathematics index,
which is a composite measure in the TIMSS 2011 International Database (the other
two categories of the index were "do not like learning mathematics" and "somewhat
like learning mathematics"). These students "agreed a lot" with three of the following
five statements: (1) I enjoy learning mathematics; (2) I wish I did not have to
study mathematics (reverse coded); (3) Mathematics is boring (reverse coded); (4)
I learn many interesting things in mathematics; and (5) I like mathematics.
NOTE: Education systems presented in the graph participated in TIMSS at both the
fourth- and eighth-grade levels in 2011. Education systems are ordered by "Like
Learning Mathematics" percentages at grade 4, from high to low. Education systems
highlighted in yellow can be considered higher performing (i.e., had performed,
on average, at or above the TIMSS 2011 Intermediate International benchmark, 475,
on the mathematics assessment at grades 4 and 8). The Mathematics scale ranges from
0 to 1,000. Some apparent differences between estimates may not be statistically
significant.
SOURCE: International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement,
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 2011.
Excel Version
| Year | Jurisdiction | All students | |
| Average | Standard error | ||
| 2011 | Average for Selected Countries | 494 | (0.5) |
| Armenia | 452 | (3.5) | |
| Australia | 516 | (2.9) | |
| Bahrain | 436 | (3.3) | |
| Chile | 462 | (2.3) | |
| Chinese Taipei | 591 | (2.0) | |
| England | 542 | (3.5) | |
| Finland | 545 | (2.3) | |
| Georgia | 450 | (3.7) | |
| Hong Kong SAR | 602 | (3.4) | |
| Hungary | 515 | (3.4) | |
| Iran, Islamic Rep. of | 431 | (3.5) | |
| Italy | 508 | (2.6) | |
| Japan | 585 | (1.7) | |
| Kazakhstan | 501 | (4.5) | |
| Korea, Rep. of | 605 | (1.9) | |
| Lithuania | 534 | (2.4) | |
| Morocco | 335 | (4.0) | |
| New Zealand | 486 | (2.6) | |
| Norway | 495 | (2.8) | |
| Oman | 385 | (2.9) | |
| Qatar | 413 | (3.5) | |
| Romania | 482 | (5.8) | |
| Russian Federation | 542 | (3.7) | |
| Saudi Arabia | 410 | (5.3) | |
| Singapore | 606 | (3.2) | |
| Slovenia | 513 | (2.2) | |
| Sweden | 504 | (2.0) | |
| Thailand | 458 | (4.8) | |
| Tunisia | 359 | (3.9) | |
| Turkey | 469 | (4.7) | |
| United Arab Emirates | 434 | (2.0) | |
| United States | 541 | (1.8) | |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | 417 | (4.6) | |
| Alberta, Canada | 507 | (2.5) | |
| Dubai, UAE | 468 | (1.6) | |
| Florida, US | 545 | (2.9) | |
| North Carolina, US | 554 | (4.2) | |
| Ontario, Canada | 518 | (3.1) | |
| Quebec, Canada | 533 | (2.4) | |
NOTE: Population coverage, participation rates, or sampling procedures deviated from international standards for 4th graders in the following jurisdictions (years in parentheses): Alberta-CAN (11, 07), Australia (03, 95), Austria (95), Azerbaijan (11), British Columbia-CAN (07), Croatia (11), Denmark (11, 07), Dubai-UAE (07), England (03, 95), Florida-US (11), Georgia (11, 07), Hong Kong (11, 03), Hungary (95), Israel (95), Kazakhstan (11, 07), Kuwait (11, 95), Latvia (07, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03), Massachusetts-US (07), Minnesota-US (07), Mongolia (07), the Netherlands (11, 07, 03, 95), North Carolina-US (11), Northern Ireland (11), Norway (11), Ontario-CAN (07), Qatar (11), Quebec-CAN (07), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (11), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03); and for 8th graders in: Alabama-US (11), Alberta-CAN (11), Australia (95), Austria (95), Belgium (Flemish) (99, 95), Belgium (French) (95), British Columbia-CAN (07), California-US (11), Colombia (95), Colorado-US (11), Connecticut-US (11), Denmark (95), Dubai-UAE (07), England (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Florida-US (11), Greece (95), Georgia (11, 07), Germany (95), Honduras-Grade 9 (11), Hong Kong (07, 03, 99), Indiana-US (11), Indonesia (03), Israel (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Kuwait (95), Latvia (99, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Macedonia (03), Massachusetts-US (11, 07), Minnesota-US (11, 07), Mongolia (07), Morocco (03, 07), Netherlands (03, 99, 95), North Carolina-US (11) Ontario-CAN (11, 07), Quebec-CAN (07), Romania (95), Russian Federation (11), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (07, 03), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Switzerland (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03, 95). Data from these jurisdictions have issues that interfere with proper trend analysis: Armenia, Australia, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Morocco, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, and Yemen. Details are available in the Help Guide. The Mathematics scale ranges from 0 to 1000. Some apparent differences between estimates may not be statistically significant.
SOURCE: International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 2011.
Excel Version
| Year | Jurisdiction | Like Learning Mathematics | Somewhat Like Learning Mathematics | Do Not Like Learning Mathematics | |||
| Percentage | Standard error | Percentage | Standard error | Percentage | Standard error | ||
| 2011 | Average for Selected Countries | 50 | (0.2) | 35 | (0.2) | 15 | (0.1) |
| Armenia | 70 | (1.0) | 24 | (0.8) | 6 | (0.5) | |
| Australia | 45 | (1.2) | 33 | (0.9) | 22 | (0.9) | |
| Bahrain | 51 | (1.7) | 34 | (1.2) | 15 | (0.9) | |
| Chile | 45 | (1.1) | 37 | (0.9) | 18 | (0.8) | |
| Chinese Taipei | 34 | (1.1) | 34 | (0.7) | 32 | (1.0) | |
| England | 44 | (1.4) | 37 | (1.1) | 19 | (1.1) | |
| Finland | 34 | (1.2) | 35 | (1.0) | 31 | (1.3) | |
| Georgia | 76 | (0.9) | 20 | (0.9) | 4 | (0.3) | |
| Hong Kong SAR | 47 | (1.0) | 36 | (0.8) | 17 | (0.8) | |
| Hungary | 48 | (1.0) | 34 | (0.7) | 17 | (0.8) | |
| Iran, Islamic Rep. of | 63 | (1.4) | 28 | (1.0) | 8 | (0.9) | |
| Italy | 50 | (1.1) | 34 | (0.7) | 16 | (0.8) | |
| Japan | 29 | (1.1) | 48 | (1.0) | 23 | (1.1) | |
| Kazakhstan | 66 | (1.3) | 31 | (1.2) | 3 | (0.3) | |
| Korea, Rep. of | 23 | (0.7) | 48 | (0.9) | 29 | (1.0) | |
| Lithuania | 58 | (1.2) | 30 | (0.8) | 12 | (0.7) | |
| Morocco | 45 | (1.7) | 46 | (1.4) | 10 | (0.9) | |
| New Zealand | 47 | (1.1) | 35 | (0.8) | 18 | (0.8) | |
| Norway | 54 | (1.7) | 30 | (1.3) | 16 | (1.5) | |
| Oman | 54 | (1.1) | 39 | (1.0) | 7 | (0.5) | |
| Qatar | 44 | (1.4) | 41 | (1.1) | 15 | (0.8) | |
| Romania | 58 | (1.4) | 32 | (1.1) | 10 | (0.9) | |
| Russian Federation | 58 | (1.2) | 34 | (1.1) | 8 | (0.6) | |
| Saudi Arabia | 57 | (1.7) | 33 | (1.3) | 10 | (0.7) | |
| Singapore | 48 | (0.8) | 33 | (0.6) | 19 | (0.7) | |
| Slovenia | 45 | (1.2) | 37 | (1.0) | 19 | (0.9) | |
| Sweden | 45 | (1.2) | 36 | (0.9) | 19 | (1.0) | |
| Thailand | 50 | (1.8) | 42 | (1.6) | 8 | (0.7) | |
| Tunisia | 69 | (1.6) | 26 | (1.5) | 5 | (0.4) | |
| Turkey | 70 | (1.1) | 26 | (0.9) | 4 | (0.4) | |
| United Arab Emirates | 56 | (0.9) | 34 | (0.7) | 11 | (0.5) | |
| United States | 45 | (0.8) | 33 | (0.5) | 22 | (0.8) | |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | 54 | (1.7) | 35 | (1.3) | 12 | (0.9) | |
| Alberta, Canada | 36 | (1.2) | 40 | (0.9) | 25 | (1.1) | |
| Dubai, UAE | 58 | (1.0) | 31 | (0.8) | 11 | (0.6) | |
| Florida, US | 45 | (1.2) | 34 | (1.1) | 21 | (1.0) | |
| North Carolina, US | 49 | (1.4) | 34 | (1.3) | 17 | (1.0) | |
| Ontario, Canada | 35 | (1.1) | 39 | (0.9) | 26 | (1.1) | |
| Quebec, Canada | 42 | (1.2) | 37 | (0.9) | 22 | (1.2) | |
NOTE: Population coverage, participation rates, or sampling procedures deviated from international standards for 4th graders in the following jurisdictions (years in parentheses): Alberta-CAN (11, 07), Australia (03, 95), Austria (95), Azerbaijan (11), British Columbia-CAN (07), Croatia (11), Denmark (11, 07), Dubai-UAE (07), England (03, 95), Florida-US (11), Georgia (11, 07), Hong Kong (11, 03), Hungary (95), Israel (95), Kazakhstan (11, 07), Kuwait (11, 95), Latvia (07, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03), Massachusetts-US (07), Minnesota-US (07), Mongolia (07), the Netherlands (11, 07, 03, 95), North Carolina-US (11), Northern Ireland (11), Norway (11), Ontario-CAN (07), Qatar (11), Quebec-CAN (07), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (11), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03); and for 8th graders in: Alabama-US (11), Alberta-CAN (11), Australia (95), Austria (95), Belgium (Flemish) (99, 95), Belgium (French) (95), British Columbia-CAN (07), California-US (11), Colombia (95), Colorado-US (11), Connecticut-US (11), Denmark (95), Dubai-UAE (07), England (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Florida-US (11), Greece (95), Georgia (11, 07), Germany (95), Honduras-Grade 9 (11), Hong Kong (07, 03, 99), Indiana-US (11), Indonesia (03), Israel (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Kuwait (95), Latvia (99, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Macedonia (03), Massachusetts-US (11, 07), Minnesota-US (11, 07), Mongolia (07), Morocco (03, 07), Netherlands (03, 99, 95), North Carolina-US (11) Ontario-CAN (11, 07), Quebec-CAN (07), Romania (95), Russian Federation (11), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (07, 03), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Switzerland (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03, 95). Data from these jurisdictions have issues that interfere with proper trend analysis: Armenia, Australia, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Morocco, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, and Yemen. Details are available in the Help Guide. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. Some apparent differences between estimates may not be statistically significant.
SOURCE: International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 2011.
Excel Version
| Year | Jurisdiction | All students | |
| Average | Standard error | ||
| 2011 | Average for Selected Countries | 485 | (0.6) |
| Armenia | 467 | (2.7) | |
| Australia | 505 | (5.1) | |
| Bahrain | 409 | (2.0) | |
| Chile | 416 | (2.6) | |
| Chinese Taipei | 609 | (3.2) | |
| England | 507 | (5.5) | |
| Finland | 514 | (2.5) | |
| Georgia | 431 | (3.8) | |
| Hong Kong SAR | 586 | (3.8) | |
| Hungary | 505 | (3.5) | |
| Iran, Islamic Rep. of | 415 | (4.3) | |
| Italy | 498 | (2.4) | |
| Japan | 570 | (2.6) | |
| Kazakhstan | 487 | (4.0) | |
| Korea, Rep. of | 613 | (2.9) | |
| Lithuania | 502 | (2.5) | |
| Morocco | 371 | (2.0) | |
| New Zealand | 488 | (5.5) | |
| Norway | 475 | (2.4) | |
| Oman | 366 | (2.8) | |
| Qatar | 410 | (3.1) | |
| Romania | 458 | (4.0) | |
| Russian Federation | 539 | (3.6) | |
| Saudi Arabia | 394 | (4.6) | |
| Singapore | 611 | (3.8) | |
| Slovenia | 505 | (2.2) | |
| Sweden | 484 | (1.9) | |
| Thailand | 427 | (4.3) | |
| Tunisia | 425 | (2.8) | |
| Turkey | 452 | (3.9) | |
| United Arab Emirates | 456 | (2.1) | |
| United States | 509 | (2.6) | |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | 449 | (3.7) | |
| Alberta, Canada | 505 | (2.6) | |
| Dubai, UAE | 478 | (2.1) | |
| Florida, US | 513 | (6.4) | |
| North Carolina, US | 537 | (6.8) | |
| Ontario, Canada | 512 | (2.5) | |
| Quebec, Canada | 532 | (2.3) | |
NOTE: Population coverage, participation rates, or sampling procedures deviated from international standards for 4th graders in the following jurisdictions (years in parentheses): Alberta-CAN (11, 07), Australia (03, 95), Austria (95), Azerbaijan (11), British Columbia-CAN (07), Croatia (11), Denmark (11, 07), Dubai-UAE (07), England (03, 95), Florida-US (11), Georgia (11, 07), Hong Kong (11, 03), Hungary (95), Israel (95), Kazakhstan (11, 07), Kuwait (11, 95), Latvia (07, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03), Massachusetts-US (07), Minnesota-US (07), Mongolia (07), the Netherlands (11, 07, 03, 95), North Carolina-US (11), Northern Ireland (11), Norway (11), Ontario-CAN (07), Qatar (11), Quebec-CAN (07), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (11), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03); and for 8th graders in: Alabama-US (11), Alberta-CAN (11), Australia (95), Austria (95), Belgium (Flemish) (99, 95), Belgium (French) (95), British Columbia-CAN (07), California-US (11), Colombia (95), Colorado-US (11), Connecticut-US (11), Denmark (95), Dubai-UAE (07), England (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Florida-US (11), Greece (95), Georgia (11, 07), Germany (95), Honduras-Grade 9 (11), Hong Kong (07, 03, 99), Indiana-US (11), Indonesia (03), Israel (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Kuwait (95), Latvia (99, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Macedonia (03), Massachusetts-US (11, 07), Minnesota-US (11, 07), Mongolia (07), Morocco (03, 07), Netherlands (03, 99, 95), North Carolina-US (11) Ontario-CAN (11, 07), Quebec-CAN (07), Romania (95), Russian Federation (11), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (07, 03), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Switzerland (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03, 95). Data from these jurisdictions have issues that interfere with proper trend analysis: Armenia, Australia, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Morocco, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, and Yemen. Details are available in the Help Guide. The Mathematics scale ranges from 0 to 1000. Some apparent differences between estimates may not be statistically significant. SOURCE: International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 2011.
Excel Version
| Year | Jurisdiction | Like Learning Mathematics | Somewhat Like Learning Mathematics | Do Not Like Learning Mathematics | |||
| Percentage | Standard error | Percentage | Standard error | Percentage | Standard error | ||
| 2011 | Average for Selected Countries | 24 | (0.2) | 41 | (0.1) | 35 | (0.2) |
| Armenia | 43 | (1.0) | 39 | (0.8) | 18 | (1.0) | |
| Australia | 16 | (0.9) | 40 | (0.9) | 45 | (1.4) | |
| Bahrain | 24 | (0.6) | 38 | (0.9) | 38 | (0.8) | |
| Chile | 22 | (0.9) | 40 | (0.9) | 38 | (1.0) | |
| Chinese Taipei | 14 | (0.7) | 33 | (0.9) | 53 | (1.2) | |
| England | 14 | (1.0) | 44 | (1.3) | 42 | (1.7) | |
| Finland | 10 | (0.6) | 34 | (1.0) | 57 | (1.1) | |
| Georgia | 42 | (1.3) | 40 | (1.0) | 18 | (1.0) | |
| Hong Kong SAR | 19 | (0.8) | 44 | (1.0) | 37 | (1.3) | |
| Hungary | 15 | (0.7) | 35 | (1.0) | 50 | (1.3) | |
| Iran, Islamic Rep. of | 39 | (1.1) | 40 | (0.8) | 22 | (0.9) | |
| Italy | 18 | (0.9) | 42 | (0.9) | 40 | (1.3) | |
| Japan | 9 | (0.6) | 38 | (1.1) | 53 | (1.4) | |
| Kazakhstan | 38 | (1.5) | 52 | (1.3) | 10 | (0.7) | |
| Korea, Rep. of | 8 | (0.3) | 36 | (0.7) | 56 | (0.8) | |
| Lithuania | 22 | (1.0) | 44 | (1.0) | 34 | (1.1) | |
| Morocco | 48 | (0.7) | 40 | (0.7) | 12 | (0.5) | |
| New Zealand | 17 | (1.0) | 41 | (1.0) | 42 | (1.5) | |
| Norway | 17 | (0.9) | 42 | (1.0) | 42 | (1.4) | |
| Oman | 38 | (0.8) | 45 | (0.8) | 17 | (0.7) | |
| Qatar | 27 | (1.0) | 43 | (0.8) | 31 | (1.2) | |
| Romania | 18 | (1.0) | 40 | (1.0) | 41 | (1.2) | |
| Russian Federation | 29 | (1.1) | 49 | (0.9) | 22 | (1.0) | |
| Saudi Arabia | 29 | (1.3) | 40 | (1.0) | 32 | (1.4) | |
| Singapore | 32 | (0.7) | 44 | (0.7) | 23 | (0.7) | |
| Slovenia | 6 | (0.4) | 31 | (1.1) | 63 | (1.3) | |
| Sweden | 13 | (0.6) | 42 | (0.7) | 44 | (1.0) | |
| Thailand | 26 | (1.1) | 57 | (0.9) | 16 | (1.0) | |
| Tunisia | 38 | (1.0) | 40 | (0.8) | 23 | (0.9) | |
| Turkey | 31 | (1.0) | 42 | (0.7) | 26 | (1.0) | |
| United Arab Emirates | 31 | (0.7) | 42 | (0.6) | 27 | (0.8) | |
| United States | 19 | (0.6) | 40 | (0.6) | 40 | (0.8) | |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | 32 | (1.2) | 42 | (1.0) | 26 | (1.4) | |
| Alberta, Canada | 16 | (0.9) | 44 | (1.0) | 40 | (1.4) | |
| Dubai, UAE | 29 | (1.0) | 41 | (0.9) | 30 | (1.0) | |
| Florida, US | 17 | (1.1) | 38 | (1.4) | 45 | (1.7) | |
| North Carolina, US | 24 | (1.8) | 44 | (1.1) | 31 | (2.3) | |
| Ontario, Canada | 26 | (1.1) | 41 | (1.0) | 34 | (1.4) | |
| Quebec, Canada | 12 | (0.7) | 43 | (0.9) | 44 | (1.2) | |
NOTE: Population coverage, participation rates, or sampling procedures deviated from international standards for 4th graders in the following jurisdictions (years in parentheses): Alberta-CAN (11, 07), Australia (03, 95), Austria (95), Azerbaijan (11), British Columbia-CAN (07), Croatia (11), Denmark (11, 07), Dubai-UAE (07), England (03, 95), Florida-US (11), Georgia (11, 07), Hong Kong (11, 03), Hungary (95), Israel (95), Kazakhstan (11, 07), Kuwait (11, 95), Latvia (07, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03), Massachusetts-US (07), Minnesota-US (07), Mongolia (07), the Netherlands (11, 07, 03, 95), North Carolina-US (11), Northern Ireland (11), Norway (11), Ontario-CAN (07), Qatar (11), Quebec-CAN (07), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (11), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03); and for 8th graders in: Alabama-US (11), Alberta-CAN (11), Australia (95), Austria (95), Belgium (Flemish) (99, 95), Belgium (French) (95), British Columbia-CAN (07), California-US (11), Colombia (95), Colorado-US (11), Connecticut-US (11), Denmark (95), Dubai-UAE (07), England (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Florida-US (11), Greece (95), Georgia (11, 07), Germany (95), Honduras-Grade 9 (11), Hong Kong (07, 03, 99), Indiana-US (11), Indonesia (03), Israel (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Kuwait (95), Latvia (99, 95), Lithuania (11, 07, 03, 99, 95), Macedonia (03), Massachusetts-US (11, 07), Minnesota-US (11, 07), Mongolia (07), Morocco (03, 07), Netherlands (03, 99, 95), North Carolina-US (11) Ontario-CAN (11, 07), Quebec-CAN (07), Romania (95), Russian Federation (11), Scotland (07, 03, 95), Serbia (07, 03), Singapore (11), Slovenia (95), Switzerland (95), Thailand (95), and United States (11, 07, 03, 95). Data from these jurisdictions have issues that interfere with proper trend analysis: Armenia, Australia, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Morocco, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, and Yemen. Details are available in the Help Guide. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. Some apparent differences between estimates may not be statistically significant.
SOURCE: International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), 2011.
