In reality, the skills of Americans are far superior to those of Europeans

When we look at PIAAC survey scores (on adult skills), PISA survey scores (on children's skills) or employment rates, we are tempted to conclude that, since these scores and employment rates are similar in the United States and the euro zone, the skills of Americans and Europeans (euro-zone residents) are similar. But if the skills of Americans and Europeans are similar, how can we explain the fact that labour productivity is growing much faster and is much higher in the United States than in the euro zone, and that innovation is much more frequent in the United States than in the euro zone?