A new analysis released Wednesday by UNICEF warns that approximately 6 million children risk losing access to education by the end of 2026 as several countries scale back development aid
The report indicates a projected global decline of $32 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA) earmarked for education – a 24 percent reduction since 2023 UNICEF states that three donor countries are responsible for nearly 80 percent of these cuts This decrease would raise the number of out-of-school children worldwide from 272 million to 278 million, a figure UNICEF equates to the closure of all primary schools in Germany and Italy combined
“Every dollar cut from education isn’t just a budgetary decision, it means a child’s future is on the line” stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell “Education, especially in emergencies, is often a lifeline connecting children with vital services like health, protection and nutrition It’s also the greatest opportunity a child has to escape poverty and build a better life
The analysis highlights the importance of the 07 percent ODA target, initially set in 1970 by the UN General Assembly to ensure a minimum level of global development assistance and later incorporated into the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 While Germany’s ODA stood at 067 percent of Gross National Income in 2024, current plans project a decrease to 052 percent in 2026 and further to 043 percent by 2029