At the global level, one in six school-age children is excluded from the education system, and only two out of three students complete their secondary education, according to this document, the first installment of the series “Countdown to 2030”, which focuses on access and equity in education.
After a 33% decrease between 2000 and 2015, the out-of-school population has increased for the seventh consecutive year, rising by 3% since 2015.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this slowdown is particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to population growth. Several crises, including conflicts, have also hindered progress.
More than one in six children live in conflict-affected areas, representing millions of additional out-of-school children, in addition to those already counted in the statistics.
Context: The article highlights the global challenges in providing access to education, especially for marginalized groups such as girls and the poor.
Fact Check: UNESCO data reveals the persistence of educational disparities in different regions due to factors like conflicts, discriminatory norms, and financial constraints.
Girls and the poor: the forgotten of school
According to UNESCO, the situation is particularly worrying in the Middle East, where ongoing regional tensions have forced many schools to close, depriving millions of children of education and exposing them to an increased risk of falling behind.
Furthermore, out-of-school children are often girls hindered by discriminatory norms, and students from poor families unable to afford school fees.
For example, in Nepal, girls have quickly caught up with boys, sometimes even surpassing them in certain regions, thanks to supported reforms promoting gender equality.
Despite this, gender gaps in primary and secondary education have significantly narrowed. More children are completing their studies, not just starting them. Since 2000, the global completion rate has increased from 77% to 88% in primary education, from 60% to 78% in the first cycle of secondary education, and from 37% to 61% in the second cycle of secondary education.
At the current pace, the world is projected to reach a 95% completion rate in the second cycle of secondary education. However, UNESCO warns that the “very ambitious” goal of universal access to secondary education by 2030 may not be achieved.
Context: The article underlines the progress made in narrowing educational gender disparities and increasing access to education globally, but emphasizes the challenges in achieving universal secondary education by 2030.
Fact Check: UNESCO highlights the advancement in educational outcomes globally, but also the existing gaps between countries in achieving educational targets.
Disparities between countries
However, this global progress conceals significant disparities between countries, with some making remarkable advancements. Some countries have reduced non-enrollment rates by at least 80% since 2000, such as Madagascar and Togo among children, Morocco and Vietnam among adolescents, and Georgia and Turkey among young people.
In 2024, 1.4 billion students were enrolled in the world, 327 million more than in 2000 in primary and secondary education (+30%), but also + 45% in preschool and + 161% in post-secondary education. This represents more than 25 additional students enrolled every minute.
For example, in Ethiopia, primary enrollment rates increased from 18% in 1974 to 84% in 2024, and access to higher education in China has seen unprecedented expansion, rising from 7% in 1999 to over 60% in 2024.
Additionally, more children are completing their education since 2000: the completion rate has increased from 77% to 88% in primary education, from 60% to 78% in the first cycle of secondary education, and from 37% to 61% in the second cycle.
The report also highlights a growing global commitment to inclusion. The number of countries mandating 12 years of education has tripled in 25 years.
