Children & education
Climate Hazards Disrupted Education for 171 Million Students in 2025, Deepening Inequities
UNICEF reports that climate hazards disrupted schooling for 171 million students in 2025, with most affected learners in low- and lower-middle-income countries and girls facing higher dropout risks.
Global Scale of Climate‑Driven School Disruptions
UNICEF’s report on schooling in 2025 shows that an estimated 171 million students—from preschool to the end of secondary school—experienced interruptions because of climate hazards, roughly one in ten learners worldwide. Storms were the leading cause, affecting 109 million students, while floods and heatwaves added to the tally. The disruptions manifested as suspended classes, damaged facilities, shortened instructional time and shifts to remote learning, all of which raise the risk of long‑term dropout.
Low‑Income Countries Bear the Brunt
Three‑quarters of the affected learners live in low‑ and lower‑middle‑income countries, where education systems often lack resources to safeguard learning during climate emergencies. In Pakistan, severe monsoon floods in August 2025 delayed the return to school for over 28 million students, marking one of the largest education shocks of the year. Egypt experienced a nationwide suspension of classes for one day in April after a powerful Khamsin wind‑dust storm, affecting more than 28 million learners. These cases illustrate how limited resources amplify the impact of storms and floods, leaving vulnerable education systems unable to protect classrooms, sanitation facilities and safe learning environments.
Gendered Impacts and Economic Consequences
Gender disparities emerge sharply in the data, with girls more likely than boys to leave school after climate‑related closures. Damage to school buildings and sanitation, combined with family displacement and loss of income, often pushes girls into additional caregiving and water‑collection duties, increasing the risk of child marriage and long‑term exclusion from education. UNICEF estimates that learners who missed school in 2025 could lose at least $200 billion in lifetime earnings unless action is taken to protect their education. Such learning losses can reduce workforce productivity and slow economic growth. The agency urges governments to prioritize climate‑resilient school infrastructure to safeguard education for today’s children and future generations.