UNESCO Warns Global Education Crisis: 273 Million Children, Adolescents Out of School

UNESCO Warns Global Education Crisis: 273 Million Children, Adolescents Out of School
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UNESCO has issued a stark warning about the state of global education, reporting that the number of children and young people out of school has risen for the seventh consecutive year. According to the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, 273 million children and adolescents worldwide were not in school in 2024, up from previous years.

The latest data reveal that approximately one in six school‑age children globally is currently excluded from formal education, underscoring ongoing strains on education systems around the world. UNESCO attributes this trend to factors such as population growth, regional instability and economic pressures, including cuts to education budgets.

The report also highlights that while global enrollment in primary and secondary education has expanded significantly since 2000, progress in keeping children in school has slowed in recent years. Protection and participation in education remain particularly fragile in countries affected by conflict and crisis.

Regional disparities are prominent. Sub‑Saharan Africa, for example, continues to face high rates of exclusion due to rapid population growth and persistent instability. In conflict‑affected areas worldwide — such as parts of the Middle East — school closures and unsafe conditions have further limited access to classrooms for millions of children.

Despite these challenges, UNESCO’s reporting notes long‑term gains in education access. Overall global enrollment in primary and secondary schooling has risen substantially over the past two decades, reflecting sustained international efforts to broaden access.

UNESCO’s warnings emphasize that sustained investment and targeted policy action are essential to reverse the widening gap in education access — particularly for children in crisis‑affected regions and underserved communities.