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UNHCR warns 5.8 million refugee children are out of school
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued an alert regarding a significant decline in education access for displaced children. According to the agency’s annual report, approximately 5.8 million refugee children—representing 44% of the 13.1 million refugee children of school age globally—were out of school in 2025.
The report highlights a sharp drop in enrollment rates as children age. While 65% of refugee children are enrolled in primary education, that figure falls to just 32% for secondary education. This gap is particularly pronounced for adolescent girls due to poverty, protection risks, and early marriage. Conversely, higher education saw a record increase, with 11% of eligible refugee students (over 450,000) enrolling in universities or vocational institutions in 2025.
UNHCR High Commissioner Barham Salih warned that increasing cuts to humanitarian and development funding threaten to reverse decades of progress. The agency estimates it requires $8.5 billion to fund its activities this year, but has currently secured only about one-third of the necessary amount.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] UNHCR estimates it requires $8.5 billion to fund its activities this year, but has only secured approximately one-third of that amount. biznisvesti.mk · www.index.hr
- [● 5 SOURCES] UNHCR High Commissioner Barham Salih warned that funding cuts in education threaten to reverse decades of collective investment and close opportunities for a generation. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · www.globaldiasporanews.com · 2001online.com · biznisvesti.mk · www.index.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] In 2025, over 450,000 refugee students enrolled in universities or vocational institutions, representing 11% of eligible refugee students. 2001online.com · biznisvesti.mk · www.index.hr
- [● 5 SOURCES] 65% of refugee children of primary school age were enrolled in primary education in 2025. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · www.globaldiasporanews.com · 2001online.com · biznisvesti.mk · www.index.hr
- [● 5 SOURCES] About 5.8 million refugee children, or 44% of the 13.1 million refugee children of school age worldwide, did not attend school in 2025. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · www.globaldiasporanews.com · 2001online.com · biznisvesti.mk · www.index.hr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Only 32% of refugee children of school age were enrolled in secondary education. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · www.globaldiasporanews.com · 2001online.com · biznisvesti.mk · www.index.hr