Predictors of students’ global competence in China, Germany, Turkey, and Mexico: A cross-cultural comparative study

Global competence is the key determinant of student success in an interconnected, diverse, and rapidly changing world. This study examined the simultaneous influence of student- and school-level factors on students’ global competence across diverse cultural contexts in China, Germany, Turkey, and Mexico . The sample comprised 25,677 students (grades 7–12) and 771 schools from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA 2018). Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was utilized for data analysis. Findings indicated that family cultural capital, students’ ICT competence, and cooperation consistently affect students’ global competence across varied countries. In contrast, the effects of school location, participation in international exchange programs, and foreign language learning in the curriculum on students’ global competence significantly differ among four countries. Distinguishing the commonalities and differences in influences on students’ global competence across cultures guides the creation of educational strategies that foster cross-cultural understanding and global cooperation, and become responsible global citizens. • Family cultural capital, ICT competence, and cooperation consistently impact students’ global competence across cultures. • School location, international exchanges, and foreign language curriculum affect students' global competence differently by culture. • Identifying factors shaping global competence highlights universal and unique determinants, urging schools to prioritize global competence education.