The urban advantage in education? Science achievement differences between metropolitan and other areas in Finland and Iceland in PISA 2015

In Finnish and Icelandic PISA 2015 data, the average student performance was consistently higher in the metropolitan areas (i.e. Helsinki and Reykjavik, respectively) than in the other parts of the countries. This paper investigates variables that might explain the observed regional differences. By statistical modeling, it was found that in both countries the regional differences in performance were reduced to regional differences in a few background variables. Part of the regional differences was explained by the higher average socio-economic status and cultural capital of metropolitan homes, but it was also found that students’ ambitions (Iceland) and occupational expectations (Finland) played important roles, both being at higher levels among metropolitan students. This suggests that policymakers should pay specific attention to student counseling and career planning in regions that do not necessarily offer versatile employment opportunities. This might raise students’ learning motivation and, consequently, their learning results.