November 18, 2025
5 min. read
In 2025, more than 6.5 million students from over 90 countries took part in Math Kangaroo, making it the largest math contest in the world.
In the United States, a record 53,562 students participated, with California leading with nearly 21,000 students.
In this article, you will learn about Math Kangaroo participation each year, how the contest has grown, and why it continues to inspire students and educators worldwide.
Participation makes more sense when you understand what Kangaroo Math is and how the contest works.
Global Participation Numbers in Math Kangaroo
Every year, more than 6 million students like you take part in Math Kangaroo, making it the largest math competition in the world.
The contest brings together young minds from over 90 countries, including the USA, India, Singapore, Canada, France, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Brazil, China, and Qatar, creating one global community united by a love for math and creative thinking.
What started in the 1980s with just a few thousand participants has now grown into a worldwide event that inspires millions.
Each year, more schools and countries join, giving students everywhere the chance to explore math in a fun, challenging, and inclusive way.
This amazing global growth shows how Math Kangaroo continues to fulfill its mission to help you think creatively, solve problems confidently, and discover the joy of mathematics alongside millions of other students around the world.
Participation also varies by competition style. Here’s the difference between Math Olympiad and Kangaroo Math to compare reach.
Country-Wise Participation Breakdown
In 2025, more than 6 million students from over 90 countries participated in Math Kangaroo, showing how widely loved and recognized the contest has become.
In the United States, 53,562 students joined the competition, with California leading the way with nearly 21,000 participants.
Strong participation also came from Europe, especially France, Poland, and Germany; Asia, including India, Singapore, and Bangladesh; as well as Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Each year, more schools and countries take part, making Math Kangaroo a truly global celebration of creativity and problem solving.
From just a few thousand students in the 1980s to millions today, Math Kangaroo’s growth reflects how students like you are embracing math as something fun, challenging, and deeply rewarding.
Why So Many Kids Join Math Kangaroo
Students everywhere love Math Kangaroo because it makes math feel exciting and approachable. Instead of memorizing formulas, you get to use creativity and logic to solve puzzles that challenge the way you think.
With so many participants, rewards matter. See the prizes offered in Math Kangaroo for different ranks.
The contest is open to everyone, with no special qualifications, making it one of the most inclusive math competitions in the world.
It sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and gives you the chance to connect with students from many countries.
You also earn certificates, medals, and awards that celebrate your effort and skill.
Parents and teachers support participation because it helps you develop problem solving, critical thinking, and perseverance, skills that go far beyond math.
In short, students join Math Kangaroo not just to win prizes but to enjoy learning, think creatively, and grow into confident problem solvers.
Growth Over the Years
Math Kangaroo began in the 1980s in Australia, when a group of passionate teachers introduced a fun and creative way to enjoy math. The idea quickly spread around the world.
In June 1994, educators and mathematicians from 10 European countries met in Strasbourg, France, to create the Association Kangourou Sans Frontières (AKSF), uniting countries under a common goal to make math exciting and accessible for all students.
This milestone transformed Math Kangaroo into a global competition with shared problem sets and coordinated contest days across countries.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the contest expanded across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, growing from a few thousand students to millions of participants every year.
In recent years, the introduction of digital and online participation has made it even easier for students like you to join, no matter where you live.
The incredible growth of Math Kangaroo shows how one simple idea, making math fun and creative, can connect millions of young thinkers worldwide and inspire a new generation to love problem solving and discovery.
The Impact of Large-Scale Participation
The incredible scale of Math Kangaroo has created one of the world’s largest communities of young problem solvers.
Every year, millions of students like you from over 90 countries take part, connecting through a shared love for math, creativity, and discovery.
This global participation builds collaboration, cultural exchange, and a sense of unity that goes far beyond competition.
Educationally, Math Kangaroo helps you sharpen critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creative problem solving through fun, non-routine questions.
It makes learning math more engaging and encourages persistence and curiosity, skills that benefit you in every part of life.
For many students, Math Kangaroo is the first step toward a future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By challenging you early and recognizing your effort, it nurtures confidence and inspires future innovators and researchers.
In the end, Math Kangaroo is more than just a contest. It is a global movement that empowers students, builds international friendships, and sparks a lifelong love for learning and problem solving.
Make Preparing for Math Olympiad Simple!
Conclusion
Today, more than 6 million students from over 90 countries take part in Math Kangaroo, making it the largest math competition in the world.
Its global reach shows how deeply it inspires creativity, problem-solving, and logical thinking among young learners like you.
Register for the next Math Kangaroo contest, start practicing with past papers, and experience the excitement of solving fun and challenging problems.
