A UNICEF report reveals that 171 million students globally faced educational disruptions in 2025 due to climate hazards, with girls at the highest risk.
A recent report published approximately one in ten students worldwide faced significant interruptions to their schooling throughout 2025. This analysis, which synthesized data from 106 countries and territories, indicates that more than 171 million children ranging from pre-primary to upper secondary levels were negatively impacted rolonged school closures, physical damage to educational infrastructure, reduced instructional hours, and a notable decline in overall student attendance.
The report, titled "Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2025," underscores the multifaceted nature of these challenges. It is not merely a matter of missed days; for many children, the impact involves the destruction of essential learning facilities and the displacement of entire families. This instability creates an environment where the most vulnerable students are systematically deprived of their right to a consistent education, potentially altering their long-term academic and economic prospects.
While the threat of climate change is global, the burden is not shared equally. According to the data, 75 percent of the children affected reside in low- and lower-middle-income countries. These regions often struggle with limited resources, making it exceptionally difficult for local education systems to pivot or recover once a climate event occurs. When schools are damaged or forced to close, these communities lack the financial and logistical support necessary to minimize the duration of the interruption.
The report also draws critical attention to the gendered impact of these disruptions. Girls are disproportionately affected ed learning environments, and the economic strain on families can lead to higher dropout rates among female students. In many instances, the destruction of sanitation facilities or the necessity for families to relocate forces girls to take on increased domestic responsibilities, such as water collection or caregiving, which effectively bars them from returning to the classroom even after the immediate danger has passed.
Beyond the immediate loss of classroom time, the long-term economic repercussions of these interruptions are significant. UNICEF estimates that the failure to address these vulnerabilities could lead to at least $200 billion in lost lifetime earnings for the students currently affected l infrastructure as a vital component of climate resilience planning. Without proactive investment, the cycle of poverty and educational exclusion is likely to worsen as climate hazards become more frequent and severe.
The primary drivers of these disruptions in 2025 were storms, which alone impacted 109 million students, followed number of affected students decreased compared to the previous year—a shift attributed in part to a change in reporting methodology that now utilizes data from aid agencies and local media—the persistence of these climate-related threats remains a critical issue for global development experts.
To combat these ongoing challenges, UNICEF is calling on governments and international partners to prioritize the construction of resilient educational facilities. Investing in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather is essential to ensuring that learning remains uninterrupted during environmental emergencies. This includes reinforcing school buildings, improving sanitation systems, and developing contingency plans that allow for remote or alternative learning options when physical campuses are compromised.
The link between climate change and child welfare is becoming increasingly clear. As the frequency of wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves continues to challenge global stability, the integration of climate mitigation into education policy is no longer an optional endeavor. Ensuring that every child has access to a safe and stable environment is a prerequisite for academic success, and without significant structural interventions, the global community risks failing a generation of students whose education is being sacrificed to a changing climate.