The highest-ever number of students received A-level maths results this year, up 3.7% on 2025, with more A and A* grades being awarded (up 0.6 ppts).
And, for the 13th year, maths was the most popular subject overall – but the picture remains vastly different for boys and girls. 72,619 boys took the subject, compared to 42,761 girls.
This gap between boys and girls is one that exists throughout society and is reflected in research from the charity National Numeracy, showing that women tend to have lower number confidence than men, which has far-reaching consequences for employability.
Nearly three times more women (59%) than men (21%) report that their earnings have been negatively impacted as a result of not having a Level 2 maths qualification (equivalent to a GCSE pass), according to the charity.
Gender norms are pervasive and can emerge early in life. However, numerous academic studies show there is no gender component to maths ability, and despite lacking the confidence of boys in STEM subjects, girls often outperform their male counterparts in maths and science subjects at GCSE level. Yet fewer girls pursue STEM subjects at A-Level, and women consistently report that they are less number confident than men.
To tackle this, the charity and a pioneering group of organisations formed the Gender Taskforce, which is working to decrease the gap between genders as evidenced by today’s A-level results.
National Numeracy Programmes Director, Paul Milner, said: "Record numbers choosing A-level maths is great news, but the fact that there are still far more boys than girls making this choice shows there is still work to do.
"That gap can be seen far beyond the classroom. Our research shows that women are more likely to lack confidence with numbers, which can affect the jobs they apply for, their earning potential and how confident they feel managing money.
"That’s why we need to challenge the attitudes and expectations around maths that can hold girls back. Through National Numeracy’s Gender Taskforce, we’re working with employers and other organisations to break down those barriers and ensure everyone has the confidence to fulfil their potential with numbers."
