About us
Our mission is to empower people to thrive by using numeracy to open up opportunities and access brighter futures, targeting communities where the need is greatest.
Find out more about our work supporting people with low number confidence or numeracy skills in communities where the need is greatest.
National Numeracy's work
We’re in the grip of a numeracy crisis. Around half of working-age people have the numeracy skills of a primary school child. Poor numeracy costs the UK economy up to £25 billion a year. It’s holding us back, and it needs to change.
Not getting on with numbers blights lives and livelihoods, contributing to pervasive problems from unemployment to poor health and debt. Low numeracy can be a lifelong barrier to social mobility..
The strongest predictor of a person’s numeracy skills in the UK is their socio-economic background. Improving skills, confidence and attitudes to numbers and maths makes a real difference to people’s lives by opening up educational, employment and financial opportunities that lead to brighter futures.
National Numeracy is the UK’s only charity dedicated to everyday maths. We aim to boost social mobility and inclusion through numeracy in communities where the need is greatest.
National Numeracy Strategy 2025-2028
Our Strategy sets out the Three Big Changes we would like to see. It outlines how we work – with partners and communities – and talks about our impact and priorities.
Our ambition is to empower half a million people to thrive using numeracy by 2028.
Find out more about how we are making positive change happen in our Strategy document.
We believe
- Numeracy is an essential skill – and an entitlement – for everyone. The economic success of the UK and the wellbeing of people individually are dependent on it
- Everyone can improve their everyday maths skills. Numeracy can be learnt. Mathematical understanding is not determined at birth
- Improvement takes effort and application. The real key to better numeracy skills is determination and resilience. Learning can be hard work for everyone
- Improving numeracy needs encouragement, support and good teaching. The education system, employers and politicians all have a part to play
- Negative attitudes are the foremost barrier to making the UK numerate. Removing them – getting rid of mistaken beliefs and the widespread ‘rubbish at maths’ tag – is fundamental to change
