However, some countries are demonstrating impressive successes, highlighting the importance of considering local specifics when shaping educational policy and targets.
Regional Indicators
According to the report published on Wednesday, progress in school education has slowed across all regions since 2015. The most noticeable decline in pace is observed in Sub-Saharan African countries, linked to population growth and various crises, including conflict situations. More than 16% of children worldwide live in conflict zones, leading to a situation where the actual number of children not attending school significantly exceeds official figures.The situation is particularly critical in the Middle East, where ongoing tensions have led to the closure of many schools, depriving millions of children of the opportunity to learn and putting them at risk of falling behind in their education.
Positive Changes
Despite existing challenges, the report highlights the achievements in global education over recent years. In several countries, the rate of school absenteeism has been reduced by more than 80% since 2000: for example, in Madagascar and Togo among children, in Morocco and Vietnam among adolescents, and in Georgia and Turkey among youth.In Azerbaijan, the share of five-year-old children receiving preschool education increased from 25% in 2016 to 92% in 2021, virtually eliminating disparities in access between urban and rural areas. Similar successes are observed in Uzbekistan, where the number of children enrolled in preschool education has tripled over seven years, thanks to government efforts to eliminate inequality in access to kindergartens.
By 2024, the total number of students will reach 1.4 billion, and since 2000, global enrollment in primary and secondary education has increased by 30%. The number of children in preschool institutions has risen by 45%, and in post-secondary institutions by 161%. This means that every minute more than 25 children gain access to education. Furthermore, gender inequality in primary and secondary education has been virtually eliminated.
China is experiencing unprecedented growth in access to higher education: from 7% in 1999 to over 60% in 2024.
More children are not only starting but also completing their education: since 2000, the completion rate in primary education has increased from 77% to 88%, in lower secondary from 60% to 78%, and in upper secondary from 37% to 61%. However, at the current rate, the global completion rate for upper secondary education will reach 95% only by 2105.
Inclusive Education
The report also emphasizes the growing commitment to the principles of inclusion. Since 2000, the share of countries enshrining inclusive education in legislation has increased from 1% to 24%, and the number of countries providing education for children with disabilities in inclusive settings has risen from 17% to 29%.According to the report, the number of children with disabilities studying in specialized boarding schools has decreased from 78% in 2005 to 29% in 2024. The most impressive successes in desegregation have been achieved in the Republic of Moldova, where this figure has dropped from 77% to 8%, and in Armenia, thanks to reforms in 2005 and 2021, the share of children in specialized schools fell from 37.5% in 2015 to 6.5% in 2023.
Funding and Accessibility
Over the past 25 years, the number of countries using various funding mechanisms to support socially vulnerable groups in primary and secondary education has increased more than fourfold. This includes measures such as transferring funds to subnational authorities, schools, and direct payments to students and their families. In 76% of countries, there are strategies for redistributing resources in favor of schools in disadvantaged conditions.However, a new index presented in the report shows that only 8% of countries fully utilize these mechanisms to redistribute educational resources in the interests of socially vulnerable groups.
Previous measures to ensure financial accessibility of education have expanded coverage but led to a decline in quality, which, in turn, has contributed to an increase in the number of students dropping out of the education system. There are also significant costs, such as for transportation, after-school care, or meals, which remain a barrier for families. Against the backdrop of reduced donor funding, school grant programs and school meal systems, which operate in 84% of countries, are now at risk of closure.
Future Steps
Education policy must be built with local conditions in mind, addressing complex issues and relying on an evidence base. In 14 African countries, the introduction of compulsory, rather than just free, education has increased the average duration of schooling by more than a year for both girls and boys. Combining such measures with laws prohibiting child labor yields even more significant effects.Effective measures must consider factors beyond the education sector. In Cambodia, for example, electrification has led to an increase in the duration of schooling by almost a whole year. In low- and middle-income countries, school feeding programs provide up to six months of additional schooling for every $100 spent. When cash payments tied to school attendance are provided, the likelihood of enrolling children increases by 36%.
UNESCO will continue to support governments around the world by bringing together ministers, development partners, civil society, and youth to shape the educational agenda for the future, ensuring that education remains a priority in the face of global challenges.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: zhizn.ru.
