However, a number of countries are demonstrating significant progress, highlighting the importance of considering national specifics when formulating educational policies and targets.
Regional Data
According to the published UNESCO report, since 2015, the slowdown in progress towards ensuring school attendance has been observed in almost all regions. The most noticeable decline is seen in Sub-Saharan African countries, where population growth is the primary cause. Conflicts also play a significant role in hindering progress: over 16% of children worldwide live in conflict zones, leading to an underestimation of the actual figures regarding the number of children not attending school.The situation in the Middle East is particularly severe, where ongoing conflicts have led to the closure of many educational institutions, resulting in millions of children losing the opportunity to receive an education, which increases the risk of learning setbacks.
Positive Trends
Despite the challenges, the report highlights significant achievements in education globally in recent years. Some countries have managed to reduce the rate of non-attendance by more than 80% since 2000, including Madagascar and Togo in the category of children, as well as Morocco and Vietnam among adolescents, and Georgia and Turkey among youth.In Azerbaijan, the number of five-year-old children receiving preschool education increased from 25% in 2016 to 92% in 2021, effectively closing the access gap between urban and rural areas. In Uzbekistan, preschool enrollment tripled over seven years, which also helped eliminate inequalities between the capital and the regions.
Against the backdrop of a total student population of 1.4 billion in 2024, enrollment in primary and secondary education has increased by 30% since 2000. The number of children attending preschool institutions has increased by 45%, while enrollment in post-secondary education has risen by 161%. This means that every minute, more than 25 children gain access to education. Additionally, the gender gap in education has been nearly eliminated.
In China, access to higher education has grown from 7% in 1999 to over 60% in 2024.
The number of children completing their education is also increasing: the global completion rate for primary education has risen from 77% to 88%, for lower secondary education from 60% to 78%, and for upper secondary education from 37% to 61% since 2000. However, at the current pace, the completion rate for upper secondary education will only reach 95% by 2105.
Inclusive Education
The report emphasizes the growing commitment to the principles of inclusion in education worldwide. Since 2000, the number of countries that have enshrined inclusive education in legislation has increased from 1% to 24%. Meanwhile, the share of countries providing education for children with disabilities in an inclusive environment has risen from 17% to 29%.According to the report, the number of children with disabilities attending specialized boarding schools has decreased from 78% in 2005 to 29% in 2024. The most significant achievements in desegregation have been noted in the Republic of Moldova, where this figure fell from 77% to 8%, and in Armenia, where reforms in 2005 and 2021 led to a reduction in the share of children in special schools from 37.5% in 2015 to 6.5% in 2023.
Funding and Accessibility
Over the past 25 years, the number of countries implementing various funding mechanisms to support socially vulnerable groups in education has increased more than fourfold. This includes measures such as transferring funds to subnational authorities, schools, and directly to students and their families. In 76% of countries, strategies for resource redistribution in favor of schools in disadvantaged conditions are in place.However, a new index presented in the report shows that only 8% of countries fully utilize these mechanisms to support socially vulnerable groups.
Previously undertaken measures for financial accessibility in education have expanded coverage but led to a decline in quality, which in turn has resulted in increased dropout rates. Additionally, significant costs remain that create barriers for families, such as transportation, after-school childcare, and meals. Against the backdrop of declining donor funding, school grant programs and nutrition systems, which operate in 84% of countries, are at risk of closure as they have not been fully integrated into national budgets.
What’s Next
Policy must be shaped with local realities in mind and address issues comprehensively, relying on evidence-based approaches. For example, in 14 African countries, the introduction of mandatory, rather than just free, education has increased the average duration of schooling by more than a year for both genders. Combining such measures with legislation banning child labor yields even more significant results.Effective policy should also consider factors beyond the education sector. For instance, in Cambodia, electrification has increased the duration of schooling by nearly a full year. In low- and middle-income countries, school feeding programs provide up to six months of additional schooling for every $100 spent. When cash transfers related to attendance are provided, the likelihood of children enrolling in schools increases by 36%.
UNESCO will continue to support governments and bring together ministers, civil society representatives, and youth to shape the educational agenda for the post-2030 period, ensuring that education remains a priority in the face of global challenges.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: zhizn.ru.
