PIAAC population knowledge and skills survey

In PIAAC (Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies), 34 countries from around the world are participating in 2021-2022. Together with Kantar, we are taking care of the Dutch part, conducting the interviews. It involves a total of 6,500 interviews in the Netherlands lasting approximately 90 minutes. Previous waves were in 1994, 2008 and 2013. Respondents are randomly selected and receive a letter with a leaflet. An interviewer then asks at the door for participation.

PIAAC is an OECD survey. It measures the reading and math skills of the population. Reading skills should be thought of as the comprehension of texts one reads. Because this survey is conducted regularly and internationally, it can be measured:

how the Netherlands is doing internationally – determining our competitive position, i.e. prosperity in the future;
how literacy and numeracy develop over time in the Netherlands – do educational programs need to be adjusted?

After a questionnaire about the respondent’s background, the respondent carries out assignments on the interviewer’s laptop. This is emphatically not an exam, but tests to see to what extent they are feasible. They are also perceived as fun. The results of PIAAC provide insight into:

the level of language, math and problem-solving skills of 16-74 year olds
the composition and size of vulnerable groups such as those with low literacy levels
the relationship between skills and economic (employment & income) and non-economic aspects (health & social confidence).
the relationship between cognitive and non-cognitive personality traits.

NRO runs PIAAC in the Netherlands on behalf of the Ministry of OCW. PIAAC is coordinated by the Kohnstamm Institute. The results will be published by the end of 2023.