The world has seen remarkable progress in the global expansion of access to education in the 80 years since UNESCO was founded. In 1950, only about 47% of children between the ages of 5 and 14 were enrolled in school. Today, that figure has nearly doubled, with 90 per cent of primary school-age children and 86 per cent of lower secondary school-age children in education.
However, despite its obvious significance, education is in jeopardy. 272 million children and adolescents do not attend school worldwide. Nearly all of them reside in sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia. Opportunities continue to be limited, particularly for girls and women, due to social, cultural, economic, and regional obstacles. The likelihood that a child with a disability has never attended school is 2.5 times higher. Conflict severely disrupts education, with nearly a quarter of a billion crisis-affected children and adolescents in urgent need of learning opportunities.
Extreme climate events disrupt schooling for millions of students worldwide.
UNESCO estimates that to achieve education for all by 2030, a child must enrol in school every two seconds from now on.
What is the significance of education? Education enables individuals to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to participate fully in society. Through teaching and learning, societies pass on essential knowledge, values and competencies across generations. Education enables people to make well-informed decisions about their lives and their communities, strengthens social and emotional skills, and builds foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Education is one of the most powerful tools for lifting excluded children and adults out of poverty and is an enabler of other fundamental human rights. In the face of the most pressing challenges facing the world today, it is a cornerstone of peace, justice, and resilience. It is the cornerstone of a democratic society, and international law guarantees the right to education. To achieve the right to education for all, education must be inclusive, equitable and free from discrimination. To ensure that no student is left behind, UNESCO collaborates closely with partners and Member States to uphold these principles and strengthen education systems worldwide. Why is investing in education so important?
One of the best investments a society can make in its future is education. Growth, poverty reduction, and increased earning potential are all fueled by education. Every $1 spent on education boosts economic growth by $10 to $15 in developing nations. Students who have access to high-quality education go on to make social and financial contributions to their communities and are the driving force behind local innovation. Since 1980, improvements in access to education have reduced extreme poverty by 40 per cent
Inaction carries a significant cost. Without the necessary literacy and numeracy skills provided through quality education, learners have fewer opportunities and are less likely to thrive. By 2030, education gaps and dropout rates will cost the global economy up to $10 trillion annually. UNESCO urges the private sector, financial institutions, and governments to immediately increase their education investment. International education aid is expected to decrease by 25% between 2023 and 2027, and only four out of ten nations are spending 4% of GDP on education. For low- and lower-middle-income countries, an estimated annual increase of $97 billion is needed to achieve the goal of quality education for all by 2030.
Investing in resilient education systems means investing in teachers. Without a well-trained, valued and supported teaching profession, there is no quality education.
In order to achieve universal access to high-quality primary and secondary education, UNESCO projects that 44 million more teachers will need to be hired by 2030. This implies a global investment of $120 billion annually to cover these new teachers’ salaries. How does education foster equality and social cohesion?
Social and economic progress are strongly influenced by education. It equips men and women with the skills to escape poverty, reduce inequalities and lays the foundation for sustainable development. By strengthening education systems, communities become more resilient and self-reliant, creating better prospects for future generations. Progress in education also accelerates progress in health, gender equality, and climate resilience, reinforcing long-term sustainability.
From early childhood education through to higher education and beyond, education provides the essential skills that build and protect the political, economic, and social fabric of society. Because they lay the groundwork for a successful education journey that will last a lifetime, the early years of education are especially crucial. Advancing education for girls and women is an important part of that process. It saves lives, reducing maternal and infant mortality and the risk of child marriage. It also helps build more inclusive societies and close gender gaps in the work force, leading to greater social equality and economic prosperity.
