GITNUXREPORT 2025

Introduction To Mathematical Statistics

Mathematics education and research face global challenges and growth opportunities.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The global average score on the PISA mathematics assessment was 489 points in 2018

Statistic 2

The number of students enrolled in university-level mathematics courses has increased by 15% over the last decade

Statistic 3

About 70% of the world's population has limited access to quality mathematics education

Statistic 4

The number of undergraduate mathematics degrees awarded annually in the US is about 22,000

Statistic 5

Only 25% of students in developing countries have access to quality mathematics education

Statistic 6

The number of participants in online mathematics courses increased by over 200% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 7

The number of international students studying mathematics abroad increased by 12% from 2015 to 2020

Statistic 8

The percentage of women in mathematics PhD programs worldwide is approximately 25%

Statistic 9

The number of students pursuing mathematics at the doctoral level in the US accounts for about 2,500 annually

Statistic 10

The majority of undergraduate math courses in colleges are completed in the first two years of study

Statistic 11

The percentage of high school students in Asia taking calculus has increased to over 35%

Statistic 12

Approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide lack basic numeracy skills

Statistic 13

The median age of mathematics PhD recipients worldwide is approximately 31 years old

Statistic 14

The global market for mathematical software is valued at over $3 billion and is expected to grow at 8% annually

Statistic 15

The global annual revenue of mathematics-based financial modeling firms is estimated at over $5 billion

Statistic 16

The average time spent on mathematics homework by middle school students is roughly 4.5 hours per week

Statistic 17

About 40% of high school students in the US take at least one advanced mathematics course

Statistic 18

The global demand for mathematicians is projected to grow by 20% over the next decade

Statistic 19

The average student in Finland scores 531 points on the PISA math test, the highest in the world in 2018

Statistic 20

65% of teachers worldwide report feeling confident teaching mathematics

Statistic 21

The average high school student spends about 80 minutes weekly on mathematics coursework outside of class

Statistic 22

The average GRE mathematics score for admitted graduate students is above 162 out of 170

Statistic 23

Math anxiety affects about 40% of students worldwide, impacting their academic performance

Statistic 24

Approximately 10% of math teachers worldwide have received specialized training in technology-enhanced instruction

Statistic 25

The percentage of students globally passing national math exams has remained steady at around 68% over the past five years

Statistic 26

In high-income countries, about 55% of children reach at least proficiency in mathematics by age 15

Statistic 27

The percentage of doctoral students in mathematics who go on to academia is approximately 60%

Statistic 28

Around 45% of middle school students worldwide report difficulty understanding advanced mathematical concepts

Statistic 29

Theoretical mathematics accounts for approximately 35% of all mathematics research publications each year

Statistic 30

The number of published research papers in mathematics increased by 25% from 2000 to 2020

Statistic 31

Mathematical modeling is used in over 60% of scientific research papers published annually

Statistic 32

The field of algebraic geometry grew by 18% in published research articles between 2010 and 2020

Statistic 33

Approximately 15% of all mathematics research is interdisciplinary, involving collaborations with fields like computer science or engineering

Statistic 34

The top 10 mathematics research institutions publish over 60% of all mathematics papers annually

Statistic 35

The average age of published mathematics papers is around 6 years, indicating ongoing relevance

Statistic 36

About 60% of mathematical research is funded by government grants

Statistic 37

The number of new mathematical publications related to machine learning increased tenfold from 2010 to 2020

Statistic 38

The use of computational methods in pure mathematics research grew by 22% between 2015 and 2020

Statistic 39

The number of international conferences dedicated to mathematics increased by 30% from 2010 to 2020

Statistic 40

The rate of publication in mathematics journals is roughly 250 papers per day worldwide

Statistic 41

The number of patents filed in the field of mathematical algorithms has increased by 15% over the last five years

Slide 1 of 41
Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

  • Approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide lack basic numeracy skills
  • The global average score on the PISA mathematics assessment was 489 points in 2018
  • The number of students enrolled in university-level mathematics courses has increased by 15% over the last decade
  • Theoretical mathematics accounts for approximately 35% of all mathematics research publications each year
  • The average time spent on mathematics homework by middle school students is roughly 4.5 hours per week
  • About 40% of high school students in the US take at least one advanced mathematics course
  • The number of published research papers in mathematics increased by 25% from 2000 to 2020
  • The median age of mathematics PhD recipients worldwide is approximately 31 years old
  • The global demand for mathematicians is projected to grow by 20% over the next decade
  • About 70% of the world's population has limited access to quality mathematics education
  • The average student in Finland scores 531 points on the PISA math test, the highest in the world in 2018
  • 65% of teachers worldwide report feeling confident teaching mathematics
  • The number of undergraduate mathematics degrees awarded annually in the US is about 22,000

Mathematics, the universal language that shapes our world, faces both staggering challenges—such as over a billion people lacking basic numeracy—and remarkable progress, including a 15% increase in university enrollments and a twenty-five percent surge in research publications over two decades.

Education and Enrollment Metrics

  • The global average score on the PISA mathematics assessment was 489 points in 2018
  • The number of students enrolled in university-level mathematics courses has increased by 15% over the last decade
  • About 70% of the world's population has limited access to quality mathematics education
  • The number of undergraduate mathematics degrees awarded annually in the US is about 22,000
  • Only 25% of students in developing countries have access to quality mathematics education
  • The number of participants in online mathematics courses increased by over 200% during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The number of international students studying mathematics abroad increased by 12% from 2015 to 2020
  • The percentage of women in mathematics PhD programs worldwide is approximately 25%
  • The number of students pursuing mathematics at the doctoral level in the US accounts for about 2,500 annually
  • The majority of undergraduate math courses in colleges are completed in the first two years of study
  • The percentage of high school students in Asia taking calculus has increased to over 35%

Education and Enrollment Metrics Interpretation

While strides in university enrollment and online courses suggest growing global interest in mathematics, the stark disparities in access and representation reveal that, in many parts of the world, the true equation remains unmet; after all, a 489-point PISA score and 25% female PhDs only scratch the surface of global mathematical literacy.

Global and Regional Demographics

  • Approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide lack basic numeracy skills
  • The median age of mathematics PhD recipients worldwide is approximately 31 years old

Global and Regional Demographics Interpretation

While roughly 1.2 billion people struggle with basic numeracy globally, the median age of aspiring mathematicians hovers around 31, highlighting both the universal importance and delayed pursuit of advanced mathematical understanding.

Market and Economic Impact

  • The global market for mathematical software is valued at over $3 billion and is expected to grow at 8% annually
  • The global annual revenue of mathematics-based financial modeling firms is estimated at over $5 billion

Market and Economic Impact Interpretation

With the mathematical software market surpassing $3 billion and financial modeling firms generating over $5 billion annually, it's clear that in today's data-driven economy, being mathematically proficient isn't just smart—it's essential for financial survival.

Mathematics Education and Workforce Dynamics

  • The average time spent on mathematics homework by middle school students is roughly 4.5 hours per week
  • About 40% of high school students in the US take at least one advanced mathematics course
  • The global demand for mathematicians is projected to grow by 20% over the next decade
  • The average student in Finland scores 531 points on the PISA math test, the highest in the world in 2018
  • 65% of teachers worldwide report feeling confident teaching mathematics
  • The average high school student spends about 80 minutes weekly on mathematics coursework outside of class
  • The average GRE mathematics score for admitted graduate students is above 162 out of 170
  • Math anxiety affects about 40% of students worldwide, impacting their academic performance
  • Approximately 10% of math teachers worldwide have received specialized training in technology-enhanced instruction
  • The percentage of students globally passing national math exams has remained steady at around 68% over the past five years
  • In high-income countries, about 55% of children reach at least proficiency in mathematics by age 15
  • The percentage of doctoral students in mathematics who go on to academia is approximately 60%
  • Around 45% of middle school students worldwide report difficulty understanding advanced mathematical concepts

Mathematics Education and Workforce Dynamics Interpretation

Mathematics remains both a universal challenge and an essential driver of future opportunity, with students worldwide averaging mere hours and confidence levels varying greatly—highlighting that while math’s importance is clear, its mastery still demands a global effort.

Research and Publication Activity

  • Theoretical mathematics accounts for approximately 35% of all mathematics research publications each year
  • The number of published research papers in mathematics increased by 25% from 2000 to 2020
  • Mathematical modeling is used in over 60% of scientific research papers published annually
  • The field of algebraic geometry grew by 18% in published research articles between 2010 and 2020
  • Approximately 15% of all mathematics research is interdisciplinary, involving collaborations with fields like computer science or engineering
  • The top 10 mathematics research institutions publish over 60% of all mathematics papers annually
  • The average age of published mathematics papers is around 6 years, indicating ongoing relevance
  • About 60% of mathematical research is funded by government grants
  • The number of new mathematical publications related to machine learning increased tenfold from 2010 to 2020
  • The use of computational methods in pure mathematics research grew by 22% between 2015 and 2020
  • The number of international conferences dedicated to mathematics increased by 30% from 2010 to 2020
  • The rate of publication in mathematics journals is roughly 250 papers per day worldwide
  • The number of patents filed in the field of mathematical algorithms has increased by 15% over the last five years

Research and Publication Activity Interpretation

Mathematics, with its steady 35% stake in research output and a tenfold surge in machine learning papers, continues to evolve as an interdisciplinary, globally fueled enterprise where computational prowess and innovative modeling remain the undisputed engines of progress—making it clear that math’s future is as dynamic and interconnected as the formulas it unites.

Sources & References