The global education crisis has reached an alarming new threshold, with 272 million children and youth currently out of school, according to new data highlighted by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The report, released during the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, warns of a dangerous trend driven by shrinking national education budgets and waning international aid.

Senior HRW researcher Elin Martínez described the situation as a “major wake-up call,” emphasizing that budget cuts, austerity measures, and conflict are leaving millions of children behind—especially in the Middle East, Africa, and other crisis-hit regions.

Conflict and Neglect Drive Education Collapse

Out of the 272 million out-of-school children:

• 139 million are boys, and 133 million are girls.
• Nearly 200 million are excluded from secondary education.
• At least 13 million are in active conflict zones, including Gaza and Sudan.

Factoring in those displaced or out of school due to war brings the real number closer to 285 million.

The crisis also fails to count an estimated 175 million preschool-aged children not receiving early childhood education, further revealing the depth of the global educational emergency.

Inadequate Funding, Broken Promises

HRW sharply criticized governments for failing to meet education spending pledges. Despite the “Compromiso de Sevilla” agreement to ensure inclusive, equitable education, few nations have committed the resources needed to match their obligations.

Governments are urged to:

• Allocate 4–6% of GDP or 15–20% of public expenditure to education.
• Protect public education budgets from austerity and external loan conditions.
• Fund humanitarian education responses in war-affected regions.

“Without real spending, you can’t deliver free education, train teachers, or rebuild schools. This isn’t just a crisis—it’s a failure of global commitment.”

Senior HRW researcher Elin Martínez

Donor Nations Called to Recommit

HRW also calls on donor governments to recommit to overseas education aid, stressing that support for refugee and conflict-zone schooling is collapsing just when it’s most needed.

The crisis affects global development, human rights, and economic stability, HRW warns. “Governments should step up—not step away—from their education funding commitments.”