The rise in global conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine, and parts of the Sahel region, alongside intensifying climate and health crises, pose serious threats to the stability of education systems around the world. These crises and conflicts have forced millions of students to flee their homes and schools, disrupting their learning.
However, the impact goes far beyond war-torn regions. OECD data shows that even host communities that take in refugees are facing difficulties. The large influx of displaced people puts pressure on education systems leading to them becoming increasingly vulnerable.
The bigger picture
Currently, 234 million school-aged children and adolescents across 60 countries are affected by crises such as war, natural disasters, and forced displacement. Their number has increased by 35 million in just three years, which indicates how rapidly the situation is worsening.
Impact of war and climate change on education
In war-stricken Gaza, 76% of schools need major repairs or complete reconstruction, according to the United Nations. The country has seen at least 53 schools decimated which has forced about 620,000 children out of school.
In Ukraine, the war has affected more than 5.3 million school-aged children, with over 3,000 educational institutions having been damaged or destroyed as of late 2023.
See also: A generation left behind: Number of out-of-school children in Africa still on rise
In Sudan, the ongoing conflict between rival military factions has led to widespread school closures across the country. A 2023 UNICEF report estimated that at least 19 million Sudanese children could not attend school due to conflict and systemic collapse.
See also: Number of children not attending school alarmingly high worldwide
The ongoing climate changes merely add to dropouts and long-term inequality. Extreme weather events – floods, droughts, typhoons, and heat waves – are becoming more frequent and more severe, destroying schools, forcing classes to be cancelled, and displacing families. Almost 400 million children worldwide have had their schools closed since 2022 because of harsh weather conditions.
Chronic underfunding
Despite the continually worsening situation, education in emergencies receives chronically low levels of funding compared to other humanitarian sectors. In 2022, only 2.6% of total humanitarian funding was channeled to education, well below the 4% target and far from the estimated needs, according to Education Cannot Wait.
Crises often force governments and donors to reallocate resources and prioritize health or military spending over education.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a case in point. At its peak in 2020, school closures affected 1.6 billion students in over 190 nations, accounting for around 94% of the worldwide student population.
Meanwhile, over 65% of low- and middle-income countries cut their education budgets following the pandemic, with global education aid also declining for the first time in a decade in 2021, UNICEF reported.
At the same time, military spending has surged which has diverted even more funds from education. The 2025 OECD report shows that average military expenditure among its member states increased from 1.49% of GDP in 2021 to record levels in 2023 following the conflict in Ukraine, Indo-Pacific tensions, and Middle East escalation.
While global efforts are being made to restore learning, the recovery remains uneven. World Bank projections suggest that learning losses could cost this generation of students $17 trillion in lifetime earnings if urgent action is not taken.
