Climate hazards interrupted the education of one in 10 students from pre-primary through upper secondary school worldwide in 2025, affecting more than 171 million children, according to UNICEF. The agency said storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires contributed to the disruption.
How schooling was disrupted
The hazards caused school closures, damaged facilities, reduced teaching time, lower attendance and a greater risk of dropping out. Storms affected 109 million students, floods at least 70 million and heatwaves approximately 50 million, UNICEF said. Read the context: Nepal asks UN for climate compensation after floods.
The report, titled Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2025, analysed data from 106 countries and territories. UNICEF said the 2025 figure was lower than its previous analysis, which found nearly 250 million children in 85 countries affected in 2024, partly because the agency changed its methodology and used information from aid agencies and local media rather than government figures.
Why girls and poorer countries face greater risks
UNICEF said 75 percent of affected children live in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where education systems often lack the resources to maintain learning during climate emergencies.
Girls face heightened risks from insecurity, unsafe learning environments and child marriage, the report said. Damage to schools and sanitation facilities, displacement and lost family income can also increase caregiving and water-collection responsibilities, making it harder for girls to return when schools reopen.
UNICEF estimated that inaction could lead to at least $200bn in lost lifetime earnings among students whose schooling was disrupted by climate-related hazards in 2025.
What happens next
UNICEF urged governments and their partners to invest more in educational facilities designed to withstand climate and environmental hazards.
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