On a global scale, one in six school-age children is excluded from the education system, and only two out of three students complete their secondary education, as indicated by the UN agency in this document, the first part of the series “Countdown to 2030,” focusing on access and equity in education.
Following a 33% decrease between 2000 and 2015, the out-of-school population has increased for the seventh consecutive year, rising by 3% since 2015.
The UNESCO states that this slowdown is particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly due to population growth. Several crises, including conflicts, have also hindered this progress.
More than one in six children live in conflict-affected areas, leading to millions of additional out-of-school children beyond those already accounted for in statistics.
Girls and the Poor: Forgotten Aspects of School
According to UNESCO, the situation is particularly concerning in the Middle East, where persistent 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 inhibited by discriminatory norms, as well as students from poor families unable to afford school fees.
For example, in Nepal, girls have quickly caught up to boys and have sometimes even surpassed them in certain regions, thanks to gender equality reforms.
The gender gaps in primary and secondary education have significantly narrowed. More and more children are completing their studies rather than 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 would achieve 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 will not be met by 2030.
Disparities Between Countries
Nevertheless, this global progress masks significant disparities between countries, with some making substantial advances. 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 youth.
In 2024, 1.4 billion students were enrolled worldwide, 327 million more than in 2000 in primary and secondary education (+30%), and also +45% in preschool and +161% in post-secondary education. This amounts to over 25 additional students enrolled every minute.
For example, in Ethiopia, the primary enrollment rate increased from 18% in 1974 to 84% in 2024, and access to higher education in China has seen unprecedented growth, rising from 7% in 1999 to over 60% in 2024.
Moreover, since 2000, more and more children are completing their education: 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, with the number of countries making 12 years of education mandatory tripling in the past 25 years.
