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Join us for Number Confidence Week 2024

25 Sep 2024

It’s simple: life is harder if you don't feel confident with numbers.

For this year’s Number Confidence Week, we're tackling the glaring link between gender and number confidence.

Image of people with text saying "Number Confidence Week, 4-8 November 2024"

Despite having similar skill levels, women show much lower confidence levels with maths than men and this is holding them back. Lacking number confidence makes life more challenging – whether it's managing bills, following medical advice, or pushing for a promotion. The result can lead to debt, anxiety, and missed career opportunities.

And it's not just women – these attitudes hurt everyone, including men who face pressures that prevent them from seeking support.

Number Confidence Week, 4-8 November, seeks to change that by empowering people to build their confidence, and unlock new opportunities.

And this year, we want to tackle the gender confidence gap that limits career options and social mobility, particularly for women. Through an inclusive campaign, the week will also highlight barriers men face, while helping all individuals to build their confidence and support each other.

Free resources and activities

We will provide free new resources for teachers, families, and adults who support children in learning. There will also be free confidence-boosting activities for adults via our website and emails. And, with the help of our celebrity ambassadors, the week will showcase stories of overcoming barriers to numeracy.

Eleni, bydd adnoddau ysgol hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg! Cofiwch gofrestru ar gyfer eich Pecyn Cymorth isod. This year, school resources will also be available in Welsh! Remember to register for your toolkit below.

Organisations can also get involved and are asked to motivate colleagues to participate in a Big Number Natter.

Sign up for a free toolkit now

The gender confidence gap

Thanks to our research, we know there is a stark gender gap in number confidence.

Some key findings highlight the size of this issue:

  • Confidence predicts numeracy skills, yet women are twice as anxious as men about using maths, even when they show proficiency. Almost 24% of women said they feel nervous when dealing with maths, but only 12% of men said the same.
  • 40% of women do not consider themselves "numbers people," in contrast to 23% of men.
  • Young women aged 18-21 are even more affected, with 35% lacking confidence in making financial decisions (The Confidence Gap: Women and Number Confidence, National Numeracy).
  • 33% of women said they would be put off from applying for a job that needed number skills, compared to 20% of men.

Data from YouGov research in September 2022, for National Numeracy, unless otherwise stated.

This paints a clear picture. Confidence, not just skill, is what prevents women from fully embracing opportunities where numbers play a key role.

According to 2023 Social Mobility Report, the lowest number confidence is found among girls who have recently left the education system. This lack of confidence perpetuates gender inequalities, with young women missing out on opportunities that rely on solid numeracy skills.

By building number confidence people can access new career paths, feel safer managing their money, and, ultimately, unlock greater opportunities.

Number Confidence Week is part of a wider mission to bridge this gap and improve confidence for all.

Join us from November 4-8: sign up to get your free toolkit now!

Schools and organisations can get ready by signing up for a free toolkit. Full of activities and materials, you'll find everything you need to get your community feeling confident.

Sign-up for schools

Sign-up for organisations

Let’s work together to build a future where everyone has the confidence to succeed with numbers.

Thank you to National Numeracy's partners supporting Number Confidence Week 2024:

Founding Supporter

"Building number confidence in young women is essential, as it not only enhances their ability to make informed financial decisions but also empowers them to pursue careers in fields that require strong numeracy skills. Addressing this confidence gap is key to achieving gender equality in education and the workforce."

Philip Price, Executive Director, TP ICAP Group plc

TP ICAP logo

Lead Supporters

"Numeracy is critical in preparing people for work. With low numeracy confidence and maths anxiety disproportionately impacting social mobility, particularly for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the need for support is more urgent than ever. Barclays LifeSkills is thrilled to be supporting Number Confidence Week again this year, working with the charity to drive positive social change by helping people build vital confidence with numbers."

Kate McGoey, Head of Barclays LifeSkills

Barclays LifeSkills logo

"Capital One UK is really proud to be supporting Number Confidence Week as part of our wider partnership with National Numeracy. We recognise the difference having confidence with numbers has when it comes to finances and money management, as well as the impact it can have on skills for everyday life. And this November, we’re thinking more about how gender and social mobility feeds into this, so that everyone can achieve their fullest potential at school and in the workplace."

Dave Richards, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Capital One UK

Capital One logo

"As so many continue to struggle with household budgets, it’s vital that people to take action to increase their number skills, especially given the strong link between numeracy and financial health. Poor skills and/or low confidence around numbers can make financial management even more of a challenge and, ultimately, lead to poor outcomes for people, with knock-on impacts for businesses and society. As a business committed to improving consumer financial health, we are incredibly proud to be partnering with National Numeracy to help deliver what we are sure will be another highly successful Number Confidence Week."

James Jones, Experian

Experian logo

"EY is proud to mark the beginning of our relationship with National Numeracy with this years’ Number Confidence Week. It is a fantastic opportunity for EY to contribute to an important societal issue, and a step towards building greater confidence in numeracy skills across the UK."

Christopher Richardson, EY Partner, Head of UK Financial Services Risk Consulting

EY logo

"At The Lord Mayor's Appeal, we continue our work to create 'A Better City for All'. One that embraces inclusivity, promotes health, nurtures skills, ensures fairness and delivers an impact that changes lives. Our partnership with National Numeracy continues to empower Londoners by tackling the barriers low numeracy creates. We share National Numeracy’s passion to enhance employability and financial inclusion; and recognise the gender confidence gap around numeracy that proves to be such an issue for women and girls when it comes to fostering confidence, skills, and a positive approach to numbers. We are thrilled to once again support Number Confidence Week."

The Lord Mayor's Appeal logo

"We are proud to be named a Lead Supporter of Number Confidence Week, continuing our long-standing commitment to National Numeracy. Low confidence with numbers affects many people, but disproportionately impacts women. YouGov research shows that 33% of women would be put off from applying for a job requiring number skills, compared to 20% of men. As a business, we are committed to raising awareness about the importance of number confidence for everyone, with a special focus this year on empowering women to overcome these challenges."

Vanquis Banking Group logo

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