The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has revealed that the number of children and young people out of school worldwide has risen to 273 million, highlighting a growing global education crisis.
In its 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report released on Wednesday, UNESCO disclosed that the figure has increased for the seventh consecutive year, signalling a worrying reversal in progress towards universal education.
According to the report, one in six school-age children is currently excluded from education, while only two-thirds of students globally complete secondary school. The organisation warned that progress in expanding access to education has slowed significantly across most regions since 2015.
“Progress in keeping children in school has slowed across almost every region,” the report stated, identifying conflict and rapid population growth as major contributing factors.
The situation is particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa, where educational access remains a critical challenge. In conflict-affected areas, the crisis is even more pronounced, with millions of out-of-school children not fully captured in official statistics.
Despite these setbacks, UNESCO noted that substantial gains have been made over the past two decades. Since 2000, global school enrolment has improved markedly, with more than 25 additional children gaining access to education every minute.
The report also highlighted success stories from several countries that have significantly reduced out-of-school rates and expanded access across all levels of education. However, it cautioned that these achievements remain uneven and fragile.
UNESCO stressed that no single policy solution can address the complex causes of educational exclusion. Instead, it called for targeted strategies tailored to local contexts, alongside sustained investment in education systems.
The organisation further emphasised the need for governments, development partners, and stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all children, in line with global development goals.
As the number of out-of-school children continues to rise, UNESCO warned that urgent and coordinated action will be required to reverse the trend and secure the future of millions of young people worldwide.
