Research and analysis

PIRLS 2021: reading literacy performance in England

Findings from the progress in international reading literacy study (PIRLS) 2021, assessing and comparing the reading attainment and attitudes of year 5 children.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 16 May 2023
• Last updated: 27 September 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

PIRLS 2021: national report for England

Ref: ISBN 978-1-83870-473-5, RR1353

PDF, 3.38 MB, 189 pages

Additional findings from PIRLS 2021

Ref: ISBN 978-1-83870-581-7, RR1447

PDF, 498 KB, 64 pages

Details

These reports outline the results of the 2021 progress in international reading literacy study (PIRLS) in England.

PIRLS is an international comparative study directed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.

The aim of PIRLS is to assess and compare the reading performance of pupils in their fourth year of formal schooling across participating countries.

57 countries took part in PIRLS 2021 and these are the national reports for England.

Published 16 May 2023
Last updated 27 September 2024 + show all updates

1. 27 September 2024

   Added 'Additional findings from PIRLS 2021'.

2. 11 April 2024

   'PIRLS 2021: national report for England' was updated to reflect minor corrections to some figures and associated wording. The changes are listed in Appendix E.

3. 16 May 2023

   First published.