UN report: 100 million children denied schooling as wars and climate shocks surge

A United Nations Education Cannot Wait report released today estimates that 258 million children and adolescents of school‑age have had their education disrupted by conflict, forced displacement, climate shocks or chronic socio‑economic crises. Of these, almost 100 million are completely out of school, an increase of 21 million in the past 18 months.

The report notes that roughly 60 % of the children whose schooling is most affected live in nine countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen. It identifies armed conflict and related violence as the primary driver of early school‑leaving, with climate change further eroding progress.

“Wars and climate change are wiping away hard‑won gains in education,” said Maïssa Jallab, director of Education Cannot Wait. The analysis highlights where needs are greatest and where investment could have the largest impact, calling for urgent funding to protect the right to education for children caught in crises.