What's happened
UNICEF reports 171 million learners across 106 countries faced climate-related disruptions in 2025. Storms, floods and heatwaves disrupted classes; girls face higher dropout risks. The report warns of US$200 billion in potential lifetime earnings losses and calls for resilient school infrastructure and data systems.
What's behind the headline?
Critical analysis
- Climate hazards are forecast to intensify, potentially widening educational inequality unless resilience is built into national planning.
- The data rely on aid agencies and local media rather than government figures, which may affect comparability across countries.
- The emphasis on girls’ vulnerability suggests a need for targeted policies on safeguarding education for girls during shocks.
- The figures imply long-term economic costs, reinforcing the case for investing in climate-resilient schooling.
What to watch next: governments and partners are urged to scale up funding and infrastructure, and to strengthen climate-education data regimes to anticipate and recover from disruptions.
How we got here
UNICEF’s Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2025 analyzes data from 106 countries and territories. It shows climate hazards disrupted schooling through closures, damaged facilities, remote learning shifts, reduced instructional time, and rising dropout rates. The analysis highlights that three-quarters of affected students live in low- and lower-middle-income countries and underscores heightened risks for girls.
Our analysis
UNICEF’s press release on Learning Interrupted (2025), All Africa coverage referencing UNICEF analysis, Arab News summary of UNICEF findings, Al Jazeera UNICEF Climate Risk Report 2026.
Go deeper
- What steps are governments taking to build climate-resilient schools?
- How might this affect local economies and job prospects for graduates?
- What programs exist to protect girls’ education during climate shocks?
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