News
National Numeracy Day's theme is Money, and this is why
10 Feb 2025
National Numeracy Day on 21 May 2025 has a theme for the first time ever: it's the Money Edition.
Our new research reveals that being better able to manage their money is why a third of UK adults want to improve their numeracy. So, our campaign is here to help.
A third of UK adults (32%) say being able to better manage their money is the reason they want to improve their maths and numeracy skills, according to our new research, carried out by YouGov in December 2024*.
This rises to over a third (34%) of women (compared to 30% of men).
Parents and carers crave number know-how to make ends meet
And in households where there are children, the number of people wanting to improve their number know-how in order to better manage the pennies and pounds in their purses is even higher.
35% of those with children in the household gave money as the reason, but this rose to 44% for people with children aged 4 years and under and 40% for people with children 5-11 years.
Young people and students most in need of numeracy for money management
A huge proportion of young people say they want to use improved numeracy in order to better manage their money: 42%, of those aged 18-24, the largest percentage of any age group.
The biggest demographic of all in need of numeracy for money management is full-time students, 46% of whom said this was a need for them.
The proportion of those wanting to improve their numeracy and maths in order to better manage their money decreased with every age group: 35% of 25-34s; 31% of 35-44s; 28% of 45-54s and 24% for 55+ age groups.
It's never too early to make the link between numbers and money with children
Financial education is a vital theme for children if we are to tackle the fact that our young adults are both the most maths-anxious and have the highest need for numeracy in order to better manage their money.
Amongst the strongest factors affecting the attitudes of children to numeracy, are the adults that support them at home and at school. Number-confident adults are the most powerful lever towards a more number confident next generation.
Regional differences in numeracy for managing money
There are some distinct differences when it comes to people in the UK wanting to up their number game for money management reasons.
In Wales 39% gave this as the reason, 37% did the same in the North-East and London the figure was 36%. These compare to 26% in the East of England citing money management as a reason to improve their numeracy.
National Numeracy Day 2025 offers free, practical help
National Numeracy Day is the UK's only campaign dedicated to everyday maths. It is run by the independent charity National Numeracy and everything is free thanks to Founding Supporter KPMG and a group of pioneering businesses and organisations.
It’s for families, educators, individuals, children and organisations of all kinds. It wants the value and benefits of being able to use numeracy in everyday life to be well understood in the UK and for people to be inspired to take their first steps towards improved numeracy.
So far, people have taken more than 2 million actions to improve numeracy as a result of the campaign since it began in 2018.
And this year, on and around Wednesday 21 May, National Numeracy Day will offer helpful, fun and friendly events, resources and activities to give number confidence and numeracy skills for managing money a boost.
Numeracy for financial education, inclusion and wellbeing
Sam Sims, CEO of National Numeracy said: "Numeracy is the strongest predictor of financial literacy and low numeracy is one of the greatest barriers to financial inclusion facing the nation. Nearly nine in every ten people (86%) who lack confidence working with numbers rate their knowledge about financial matters as low. But this can change.
"Building number confidence and numeracy skills can help us feel more in control of finances, and improving numeracy is shown to have a strong and positive link to improved financial behaviour, such as saving and planning for the future.
"That’s why National Numeracy Day 2025 – the Money Edition - is all about financial education, inclusion and wellbeing."
Sign up to get everything you need to get involved
Whether you’re promoting numeracy in a school, at home, workplace or other organisation, sign up to get everything you need to get involved.
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Research Methodology
* A nationally representative sample of 2116 adults were surveyed by YouGov, 19-20 December 2024. The question asked was: “You mentioned that you would like to improve, or are already taking steps to improve, your maths and numeracy skills. Which, if any, of the following are reasons for this?” The above numbers said it was “being able to better manage their money (e.g. budgeting, finances, getting the best deals, shopping)”
Thanks to our supporters…
National Numeracy Day is brought to you by independent charity National Numeracy, the campaign's Founding Supporter since 2018 KPMG, and a group of pioneering organisations who are dedicated to improving the nation’s numeracy confidence and skills.
Founding Supporter
KPMG
Bina Mehta, Chair at KPMG UK: "KPMG is proud to be the Founding Supporter of National Numeracy Day. Now in its eighth year, National Numeracy Day supports people to take those all-important first steps to improving their number confidence which, in turn, can help to improve financial decision making, enhance job prospects, and even guard against vulnerability to fraud and debt – contributing to a healthier and more inclusive economy.
"The campaign brings together business, policymakers and charities united in their commitment to improving numeracy and this year’s focus on money and financial inclusion sits at the heart of that commitment."
2025 Lead Supporters
Amazon Web Services
Aanya Niaz, Global Leader for Education Equity at Amazon Web Services: "Amazon Web Services is delighted to support National Numeracy and their work in elevating understanding and addressing the important issue of poor numeracy across the UK, which affects around half of the population. Through our digital support and security we are proud to be having a tangible impact on improving number confidence across the country, and helping create brighter futures nationwide."
Barclays LifeSkills
Kate McGoey, Head of Barclays LifeSkills: "Tackling anxiety with numbers is a critical first step of building financial confidence, financial literacy and preparation for the workplace. With low numeracy confidence disproportionately impacting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the need for support is more urgent than ever. Barclays LifeSkills is thrilled to be partnering with National Numeracy Day: The Money Edition to help people build vital confidence with numbers earlier on in life."
Bloomberg L.P.
Caroline Rowley, Corporate Philanthropy, Bloomberg: "Numeracy is at the heart of informed decision-making, from personal finances to global markets. At Bloomberg, data and analytics drive everything we do, and through our corporate philanthropy, we’re proud to support National Numeracy Day as part of our commitment to expanding access to education and empowering communities with the skills they need to thrive."
Capital One UK
Dave Richards, Head of Community Impact & Investment: "We’re so proud to be a lead supporter of National Numeracy Day for the fourth year running. At Capital One UK, we believe numeracy skills are such an important key to unlocking opportunity, and we’ve seen first-hand how our growing partnership with National Numeracy is making a difference. From launching the Numeracy for Gender Equality recommendations to deepening our impact in schools and communities through the Numeracy Volunteers programme, we’re committed to helping people build the confidence and skills they need to thrive."
Experian
John Webb, Senior Consumer Affairs Manager: "Experian’s mission is to help people understand their credit and improve their financial lives. Through our innovative products, services, public education and financial health programmes – we help people stay in control of their finances and achieve their goals.
"We recognise that having poor numeracy skills can have a detrimental impact on financial wellbeing and confidence, which is why we’re a passionate supporter of National Numeracy. We’re proud to team up again for National Numeracy Day 2025, focussing on getting people to talk about money and numeracy skills."
EY
"We are proud to support National Numeracy as they seek to build greater confidence with numeracy skills across the UK to help open up opportunities to the broadest range of talent. National Numeracy Day provides a spotlight on these issues and will encourage important conversations around financial education, inclusion and wellbeing."
S&P Global
Sally Moore – Executive Vice President, Chief Client Officer: "S&P Global is proud to support National Numeracy Day 2025. Building confidence with numbers is essential for making informed financial decisions and managing money effectively. Strengthening numeracy skills empowers individuals and communities, making this an important issue for us all. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the campaign."
TP ICAP
Philip Price, Executive Director, Group General Counsel & Global Head of Compliance: “As we celebrate National Numeracy Day, we recognise the vital role that numeracy skills play in our daily lives. This day is important because it shines a spotlight on the power of numbers, and the confidence that comes from understanding them. Money and budgeting skills are crucial building blocks for social mobility. They empower individuals to make informed financial decisions, plan for the future, and navigate life's challenges with resilience. By fostering these skills, we can help create a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential.”
Vanquis Banking Group
Lorraine Handley – Social Impact Programme Manager (Education Lead): "At Vanquis, we know that being confident with numbers makes a huge difference in everyday life – whether it’s managing money, planning for the future, or just feeling in control. That’s why we’re proud supporters of National Numeracy and excited that this year’s Numeracy Day theme – ‘The Money Edition’ – focuses on promoting financial inclusion, to give people the skills and confidence they need to take charge of their finances and build a better future."
2025 Supporter
City & Guilds
Amanda Kelly, City & Guilds: "Being confident with numbers and being secure in your financial literacy and numeracy skills underpins well-being and opportunities in life and work.
"At City & Guilds everything we do supports people into work and develop on the job and into the next job, so we are delighted to be supporting National Numeracy with this year's National Numeracy Day, which has such an important role to play in growing people’s confidence in maths.”
2025 Lead Delivery Partners
Education Scotland
Just Finance Foundation
Learning Resources UK
Little Tiger Press
Maths Circle
Numberblocks
Oxford University Press
Renaissance
Sweet Cherry Publishing
Wave Community Bank
