Donald Asha

The number of children and young people out of school worldwide has risen for the seventh consecutive year, reaching 273 million, according to the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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The report finds that roughly one in six school-age children are currently excluded from education, while only two in three complete secondary school. Progress in keeping children enrolled has slowed across most regions since 2015, with conflict and rapid population growth cited as primary drivers of exclusion. Sub-Saharan Africa has been particularly affected, and the situation in active conflict zones is likely even more severe than official figures suggest.

Despite these challenges, the GEM Report highlights substantial gains over the past two decades. Since 2000, global enrollment has increased sharply, with “more than 25 additional children accessing school every minute,” UNESCO noted. Several countries have made significant progress, reducing out-of-school rates and expanding access to all levels of education.

The report emphasizes that no single policy can address educational exclusion. Tailored approaches and sustained investment are needed to ensure that every child can learn, particularly in regions affected by conflict, poverty, and rapid demographic growth.