England has moved up to fourth place in global rankings for childrenâs reading.
Previously, in 2016, the nation came joint eighth out of 50 countries.
But it has improved despite disruption to education during the Covid pandemic, the Âlatest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study reveals.
The research takes place every five years and looks at nine and 10-year-olds.
Schools minister Nick Gibb credited the successs to government reforms, including a focus on phonics â a method which teaches Âchildren to read using sounds.
Singapore was top, followed by Hong Kong, Russia, England, Finland and Poland.
The study assessed nearly 400,000 students in 57 countries during the pandemic.
Mr Gibb said: âThe approach the Government has taken, in the face of quite a lot of Âopposition from vested Âinterests, has been successful in seeing childrenâs reading improving.â
Geoff Barton, general Âsecretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: âThis is a badly needed piece of good news for an education system that feels beleagured.
âThese Âexcellent results in reading standards of nine-10-year-olds are testament to the hard work, skill and Âdedication of teachers.â