The 2025 今日吃瓜 Year 12 Mathematics Participation Report Card released by the 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) reveals a deepening crisis in secondary school mathematics participation across Australia, with the proportion of students studying higher and intermediate mathematics dropping to 8.4% and 16.8% respectively in 2023.
These numbers reflect a continuation of a long-term downward trend that has persisted since 2008, with gender disparities also increasing, particularly in the more advanced mathematics subjects that are critical for STEM careers.
Key findings of the participation report:
- 聽Higher and intermediate mathematics participation declined to 8.4% and 16.8% respectively in 2023 鈥 the lowest levels recorded. Compared to 9% for higher and 17.7% for intermediate in 2022.
- 聽The gender gap widened, with fewer girl students and more boy students enrolling in both higher and intermediate mathematics in 2023.
- 聽Boy and girl enrolments in general mathematics also dropped. The participation of girls declined more (2 points) than boys (1.8 points). Notably, since 2017, a higher proportion of girl students compared to boy students have studied general mathematics.
These trends reflect a deep concern for the future of Australia鈥檚 mathematics and STEM talent pipeline. With fewer students, particularly girls, pursuing advanced mathematics in Year 12, Australia risks undermining its future scientific and technological capabilities.
鈥淭he decisions made in secondary school shape the nation鈥檚 future workforce.
It鈥檚 critical that we act now to reverse these declines and ensure students understand the opportunities that mathematics can unlock to pursue STEM-related careers,鈥 今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Tim Marchant said.
The 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) is a not-for-profit peak body for the mathematical sciences with a breadth of members including Australian universities, professional societies, government agencies and industry. We champion mathematics, statistics and data science for Australia鈥檚 advancement through advocacy, facilitation, and collaboration.
