The number of children and young people out of school worldwide has risen to 273 million, according to the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
This marks the seventh consecutive year of increasing school exclusion, with one in six school-age children currently not enrolled in any educational programme. Only about two-thirds of students complete secondary school globally.
The report attributes the slowdown in educational progress since 2015 to factors including conflict, population growth, and regional instability. Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly affected.
“In conflict zones, millions more children are out of school than official figures capture,” UNESCO noted, highlighting the acute impact of instability on education.
Despite these setbacks, UNESCO emphasized that global enrolment has grown significantly over the past two decades. Since 2000, more than 25 additional children have gained access to education every minute.
Some countries have made notable gains, reducing out-of-school rates and expanding access across all levels of education. However, progress remains uneven and fragile.
The report warns that no single policy can eliminate educational exclusion. It calls for tailored strategies and sustained investment to ensure that all children, particularly those in vulnerable regions, can attend school.
UNESCO stressed that improving domestic and regional stability, alongside international support, is crucial for achieving long-term educational inclusion.
The 2026 GEM report underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent a generation of children from missing critical learning opportunities.
