Asian kids are on average better problem solvers than their European and American peers, a new study suggests.
In 2012 the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development tested more than 85,000 15-year-olds in 44 countries and economies on their problem solving skills, testing their ability to explore limitations or obstacles and to understand information given to them.
While Singapore, Japan, China and Korea were among the top-performing economies, the United States scored just above the average and Russia and Israel lagged behind with lower-than-average scores, CNN reported.
The OECD says ability to crack complex problems is key to the economic success in the future.
Andreas Schleicher, acting director of education and skills at the OECD said that today's 15-year-olds with poor problem-solving skills will become tomorrow's adults struggling to find or keep a good job.
Top 10 countries in problem solving are:
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1. Singapore
2. Korea
3. Japan
4. China*
5. Canada
6. Australia
7. Finland
8. United Kingdom
9. Estonia
10.