Climate hazards disrupted schooling for more than 171 million students in 2025

In 2025, climate hazards disrupted the education of more than 171 million students across 106 countries and territories, according to a new analysis by UNICEF. Learning was interrupted in various ways, including suspended classes, damaged schools, remote learning, shortened instructional time, reduced school attendance, and increased dropout risks.

Storms, floods, heat waves, droughts, and wildfires were the primary causes of school disruptions, affecting hundreds of millions of students worldwide. Storms alone disrupted learning for 109 million students, while floods impacted at least 70 million, and heat waves affected around 50 million children. The analysis reveals that the most vulnerable students, particularly girls in low- and lower-middle-income countries, are disproportionately affected by climate-related school disruptions.

These disruptions not only lead to learning losses and higher dropout rates but also contribute to a projected loss of up to $200 billion in lifetime earnings for affected students. The report emphasizes the need for governments and partners to invest in climate-resilient education systems, strengthen school infrastructure, ensure learning continuity during and after disruptions, and incorporate climate education into curricula to better prepare children for a changing world.