Mathematical attainment is important for both individuals and societies. Despite widespread understanding that this is the case, systematic reviews of the impact of poor numeracy on life outcomes are relatively scarce and confined to the more advanced economies. In 2008, the UK Government Office for Science published a massive, authoritative and carefully researched report, the Foresight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project subtitled Making the Most of Ourselves in the 21st Century. It was led by a very distinguished board of scientists and the government’s Chief Scientific Officer, Sir John Beddington. The report summarised...