UNICEF report: Climate hazards disrupted education for 171 million students in 2025

climate change education disruption UNICEF report school closures extreme weather

A new UNICEF report, ‘Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2025’, reveals that over 171 million students—approximately one in ten globally—had their education interrupted by climate hazards in 2025. The analysis, covering 106 countries and territories, identifies storms as the primary cause, affecting 109 million students, followed by floods (70 million) and heatwaves (50 million).

Disruptions manifest through school closures, damaged facilities, reduced teaching time, and increased dropout risks. The report notes that 75 percent of affected children reside in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Girls are disproportionately impacted, facing higher risks of dropping out due to increased caregiving responsibilities, displacement, and child marriage.

Regional impacts include significant delays in Pakistan due to monsoon flooding and school closures in Egypt following sandstorms. In Vietnam, more than 3 million children faced disruptions. Economically, the report warns that these disruptions could lead to a loss of at least 200 billion USD in lifetime earnings for affected students.

Entities

Catherine Russell · Egypt · Pakistan · Spain · UNICEF · Vietnam

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] UNICEF released a report titled ‘Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2025’. www.unicef.or.jp · prtimes.jp · bahamasspectator.com · phunuvietnam.vn · www.globaldiasporanews.com · +5 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Storms affected 109 million students, floods affected at least 70 million, and heatwaves affected approximately 50 million students. www.unicef.or.jp · prtimes.jp · phunuvietnam.vn · www.globaldiasporanews.com · thevaultznews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Vietnam, more than 3 million children experienced educational disruptions due to climate hazards like storms and floods. phunuvietnam.vn
[● 10 SOURCES] Over 171 million students globally had their education interrupted by climate hazards in 2025. www.unicef.or.jp · prtimes.jp · bahamasspectator.com · phunuvietnam.vn · www.globaldiasporanews.com · +5 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Three-quarters of the affected students live in low-income or lower-middle-income countries. www.unicef.or.jp · prtimes.jp · bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · +3 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Climate-related school disruptions could result in a total loss of at least 200 billion USD in lifetime earnings for affected students by 2025. www.unicef.or.jp · prtimes.jp