– According to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea got the top rankings in math, while the UK and the USA lag behind, respectively at the 26th and 36th places. This is an issue when the demand for good numerical skills by employers in many fields – not only the financial sector – has never been stronger.

– It seems that the differences in math attitudes and results between the East and the West are essentially cultural and not due to the respective school systems. In the West, there is the sentiment that math is complicated, boring and even irrelevant. Meanwhile, in Asia, most of the parents show a careful and sustained interest in their children’s numerical capabilities and achievements.

Image: NI QIN | iStock / 360 | Getty Images

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