Sub-Saharan Africa needs 15 million teachers across primary and secondary schools, while the rest of the globe will require 44 million teachers to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 by 2030, the GPE report has revealed.
UNESCO reports that if there is no change to how education is currently financed, by 2030, the annual cost of children and youth who leave school early will reach $6 trillion, and the cost of a population that lacks basic skills in reading, math and science will reach $10 trillion, with economies in sub-Saharan Africa bearing the brunt of GDP loss.
Despite the clear benefits of education to society, investments in education are too low and shrinking.
The learning crisis already costs the global economy US$3.3 trillion each year, nearly the same amount as the current annual GDP of France, the United Kingdom or India.
When the world chooses not to invest in education, we all lose. The cost of inaction is too high as we face deepening inequality, lost potential and rising fragility.
This is why GPE has launched its 5th financing campaign to raise $5 billion for education and unlock $10 billion in co-financing from partners to drive change at the pace and scale the world’s children deserve.
Investing in education through GPE is a way to rethink how education is financed and deliver quality learning at scale, putting sustainability and national ownership at the core of transforming education systems in 92 partner countries.
The largest generation of children and youth in human history is coming of age, with most living in low- and lower-middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
By 2040, nearly 900 million young people in GPE partner countries will enter the workforce. Investing in education can fuel the economic growth of these countries to make sure there are jobs for the next generation.
Education will equip these young people with the skills they need to succeed in the changing world of work that’s impacted by developments in technology and artificial intelligence, as well as transitions to ‘green’ economies.
Education can also foster analytical thinking, collaboration, self-awareness and other socio-emotional skills that the World Economic Forum has flagged as being required by employers for today’s workforce.
Young people cannot gain these skills without teachers. Quality education that gives students the skills they need to thrive outside of the classroom starts with quality teachers. But the global teacher shortage threatens this potential.
As highlighted in the global report on teachers by the International Task Force on Teachers, the global teacher shortage leads to many challenges that negatively impact learning, including larger class sizes, overburdened educators and greater inequality in education.
Without bold investment in education today, the potential of millions of children and youth to shape a better world will be lost to poverty, unemployment and social instability.
Quality education increases people’s lifetime earnings, drives job creation, broadens the tax base and creates the fiscal space countries need so they can reinvest in public services and build resilience to confront crises, minimising their potential dependence on external aid.
Education and economic development are mutually reinforcing, creating a virtuous cycle that can lift millions out of poverty, save lives and turn international aid recipients into economic partners.
But this cycle can only begin if investments in education increase and shift to reach the children who need it most, especially in low-income countries. Aid to education had a sharp decline in 2024, and deeper cuts are expected for 2027.
Putting an end to the learning crisis and stemming instability across the globe means making financing education a priority. Education is not an expense, it’s an investment. And the time to invest is now to multiply possibilities for millions of young people.
Education drives progress for all sustainable development goals, whether tied to economic growth, jobs and skills, peace and security, resilience, health or equality.
Time and time again, research evidence from economics as well as climate change and peace studies shows that education is the smartest investment countries can make to lift people out of poverty, promote gender equality and build resilience to crisis and conflict.
Funding education is funding a more stable, prosperous future for all. Not doing so is a cost none of us can afford.
Leave a Reply