273 million children and young people are out of school
UNESCO counts 273 million children, adolescents and youth out of school in 2024, the seventh yearly rise. Three quarters are in sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia.
How this affects people
The out-of-school population fell 33% between 2000 and 2015 but has risen 3% since. In low-income countries it is up 29% since 2015.
UNESCO attributes the rise to population growth, crises and shrinking budgets. The 2024 total includes 140 million boys and 133 million girls.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Population growth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa
- 02Conflict and other crises
- 03Shrinking education budgets
- 04Girls leaving school, often linked to child marriage
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Seventh straight rise
The out-of-school count has risen for seven consecutive years, to 273 million.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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