Policy measures to reverse the mathematical deficit

This document is for archive purposes, please see the most recent policy statement.

The mathematical sciences are of critical importance to our human and economic capital. By many measures Australia has been running a mathematical deficit for years: low adult numeracy, falling numbers of trained teachers and worsening school performance, low participation by women, a critically low number of graduates, lack of access for regional and low SES areas and uneven uptake of mathematical and statistical capacity by business.

Demand for mathematical and statistical skills far outstrips falling supply, and maintaining Australia’s international competitiveness, security, population health and climate stability requires a mathematically literate population. New policies and action are needed now to bring Australia into mathematical surplus.

See also our publication Discipline Profile of the Mathematical Sciences 2014