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 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 strong and positive link to improved financial behaviour, such saving and planning for the future.
"That’s why National Numeracy 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.
Media enquiries
Please get in touch with our Communications Team by emailing:
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)”
Try the National Numeracy Challenge
However you feel about maths, you’re not alone. The National Numeracy Challenge is a free and easy-to-use website you can use to improve your confidence with numbers, in your own time and at your own pace.
It’s ideal for brushing up, checking your level, or for catching up on learning you missed, and it’s all about the maths you need in daily life and at work – no algebra or trigonometry.
