Nearly half of the world’s economic development since 1980 has been driven by education, which has helped people escape poverty.
According to estimates, just one more year of education may boost yearly income by about 10% and lower the likelihood of war by up to 20%, thus promoting nations’ economic independence.
Investments in education are too low and are declining, despite the obvious advantages of education for society.
The yearly cost of the learning issue to the world economy is already US$3.3 trillion, which is almost equal to the GDP of France, the UK, or India.
According to UNESCO, the annual cost of early school dropouts will reach $6 trillion by 2030, and the cost of a population lacking basic reading, math, and science skills will reach $10 trillion. Sub-Saharan African economies will bear the brunt of this GDP loss.
We all lose out when the world decides not to fund education. With growing inequality, diminished potential, and increased fragility, the price of inactivity is too great.
For this reason, GPE has started its fifth funding campaign, which aims to raise $5 billion for education and secure $10 billion in cofinancing from partners in order to bring about the kind of change that the children of the world need at the speed and scale that they deserve.
A generation in danger
The majority of this generation, which is the biggest in human history, are growing up in low- and lower-middle-income nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Almost 900 million youth in GPE partner nations will be employed by 2040.
To ensure that there are employment for the coming generation, these nations’ economies may thrive by investing in education.
Education will provide these young people the skills they need to thrive in the evolving workplace, which is influenced by advancements in artificial intelligence and technology as well as shifts to “green” economies.
Additionally, education may develop analytical thinking, teamwork, self-awareness, and other socio-emotional qualities that businesses have identified as necessary for today’s workforce, according to the World Economic Forum.
Ending the cycle of reliance on aid High-
quality education raises people’s lifetime incomes, stimulates the creation of jobs, expands the tax base, and gives nations the budgetary room they require to spend in public services and develop crisis resilience, reducing their potential reliance on outside assistance.
Millions of people can be lifted out of poverty, lives can be saved, and beneficiaries of international help can become business partners thanks to the positive feedback loop between education and economic growth. However, this cycle can only start if education spending rises and changes to better serve the children who most need it, particularly in low-income nations.
Education aid fell precipitously in 2024, and further reductions are anticipated in 2027.
Investments in education must be directed through national budgets in order to be successful even in the face of projected cuts.
