The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued a warning about a growing education crisis for refugee children worldwide. According to a new report, approximately 6 million refugee children were out of school globally in 2025. This represents 44% of the total 13.1 million refugee children of school age. The report highlights the significant challenges faced by refugee children in accessing education, particularly during the transition to secondary school.
The UNHCR report reveals a significant disparity in school enrollment rates between refugee children in primary and secondary education. While 65% of refugee children in primary school age were enrolled in school in 2025, only 32% of those in secondary school age were able to access education. This gap is even more pronounced for refugee girls, who face significant barriers to education, including poverty, protection risks, early marriage, and other pressures that lead to dropout.
The UNHCR attributes the low enrollment rates in secondary education to several factors, including limited access to schools, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of trained teachers. The agency emphasizes that education is a critical protection tool and a pathway to opportunities and self-reliance for refugee children. UNHCR High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, stressed that education is essential for the future of refugee children and urged the international community to prioritize funding for education.
The UNHCR report also highlights the consequences of reduced funding for education programs. The agency warns that cuts to education funding risk undermining years of progress in refugee education and jeopardizing the future of an entire generation of young people. The UNHCR is calling on the international community and development partners to protect education funding and invest in national systems in refugee-hosting countries.
The crisis in refugee education is occurring against a backdrop of increasing displacement and humanitarian needs. The UNHCR reports that the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide continues to rise, with many children and families facing significant challenges in accessing basic services, including education. The agency emphasizes that education is critical to helping refugee children rebuild their lives and create a more stable future.
In response to the education crisis, the UNHCR is urging governments, international organizations, and NGOs to work together to prioritize education funding and support. The agency is also calling for increased investment in national education systems in refugee-hosting countries, to help ensure that refugee children have access to quality education and can build a brighter future.
The UNHCR's warning about the education crisis for refugee children comes as the international community faces significant challenges in responding to growing humanitarian needs. The agency's report highlights the urgent need for collective action to address the education crisis and ensure that refugee children have access to the education they deserve.
Key points
- Nearly 6 million refugee children were out of school globally in 2025.
- The UNHCR is urging the international community to prioritize funding for education to address the crisis.
- Education is critical to helping refugee children rebuild their lives and create a more stable future.
