More than 1.6 million actions were taken to improve numeracy during this year's campaign, demonstrating the growing movement to help people across the UK build confidence with numbers.
News
National Numeracy Day 2026 delivers record-breaking impact
15 Jul 2026
National Numeracy has published its 2026 Impact Report, revealing the charity's biggest and most successful National Numeracy Day to date.
Centred on the theme Numeracy for Community, National Numeracy Day 2026 brought together schools, employers, charities, volunteers, families and local communities to show that nobody should feel alone when it comes to maths.
The campaign generated record engagement, reached millions through the media and inspired more people than ever to take positive steps towards improving their numeracy.
A record-breaking year
The 2026 campaign achieved its strongest results since National Numeracy Day launched in 2018.
Highlights include:
- 1.6 million actions taken to improve numeracy – a 40% increase on 2025.
- 4.9 million cumulative actions since the campaign began.
- 15,886 organisations and individuals signing up to take part.
- 347,512 views of National Numeracy learning videos.
- 195 media mentions, reaching an audience of 186 million people.
- 9,738 Number Heroes competition entries.
- More than 80,000 children taking part in the National Numeracy Day Live Lesson.
Helping people feel more confident with numbers
National Numeracy Day is about far more than maths.
It is about helping people feel confident managing money, supporting their children with homework, understanding information and making everyday decisions.
This year's campaign delivered measurable improvements in people's attitudes towards numbers.
Among those who took part:
- 73% said they had greater awareness of how numbers are used in everyday life.
- 55% said they now think more positively about numbers.
- 50% said they talk more openly about numeracy with family, friends or colleagues.
- 42% felt more prepared to use numbers in daily life.
Participants also recognised the campaign's impact:
- 97% said National Numeracy Day effectively supported adults and children to improve their numeracy skills.
- 96% said it inspired people to improve their number confidence.
- 94% said it raised awareness of the importance of numeracy in everyday life.
Reaching the people who need support most
One of the campaign's greatest achievements was engaging people who would not normally choose to engage with maths.
Among adults who used National Numeracy Day resources:
- 39% said they had previously been reluctant to engage with numbers.
- Only 15% described themselves as already interested in numeracy.
These findings show the campaign is successfully reaching beyond those already confident with maths and supporting people who are most likely to benefit.
A campaign people want to return to
The impact of National Numeracy Day extends well beyond one day.
Following the campaign:
- 97% would recommend National Numeracy Day to someone else.
- 92% plan to take part again next year.
- 82% are likely to continue using National Numeracy's website.
- 79% intend to engage with other National Numeracy campaigns.
- 73% expect to keep using National Numeracy resources throughout the year.
Communities leading the conversation
This year's Numeracy for Community theme inspired conversations across workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods.
People took part in Big Number Natters, while Numeracy Champions organised local events that helped make talking about maths feel normal and accessible.
Celebrity ambassadors including Bobby Seagull, Denise Welch, Jessica Gagen and Rotimi Merriman-Johnson helped bring the campaign to national audiences, while beneficiaries shared honest stories about overcoming maths anxiety through television, radio and social media.
Our supporters, delivery partners and volunteers also played a vital role, helping take practical numeracy support into classrooms, workplaces and communities across the UK.
Preparing the UK for an AI future
National Numeracy Day also marked the publication of interim findings from National Numeracy's major research project into AI, Numeracy and Social Mobility, delivered with Policy Connect, KPMG and members of the National Numeracy Leadership Council.
The Count on it: Numeracy, AI, and Social Mobility report found that only one in four adults believes numeracy is important for using artificial intelligence, highlighting a significant awareness gap as AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life and work.
The full report, explores why improving numeracy will be essential to ensuring AI creates opportunity rather than widening inequality.
National Numeracy Day continues to prove that when people are given the right encouragement and support, confidence with numbers can grow.
Behind every statistic in this report are stories of people overcoming maths anxiety, communities coming together and organisations helping create lasting social change.
Read the full National Numeracy Day 2026 Impact Report to explore the complete results, inspiring case studies and campaign highlights.
