A new report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has highlighted a concerning trend in South Asia's education landscape: while school completion rates continue to improve, millions of children remain out of the education system.
According to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2026, South Asia remains one of the regions with the highest numbers of out-of-school children and youth worldwide.
The report notes that Central and South Asia, together with Sub-Saharan Africa, account for nearly three-quarters of the global out-of-school population. UNESCO estimates that the worldwide number of children and young people not attending school has risen to 273 million, marking the seventh consecutive year of increase. Population growth, economic pressures, conflicts, and shrinking education budgets have contributed to the challenge.
Despite these concerns, the region has also demonstrated significant educational progress over the past two decades. Enrollment rates have increased substantially across primary, lower-secondary, and upper-secondary education. Countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have expanded access through scholarships, financial assistance programs, and policy reforms aimed at supporting disadvantaged students.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany emphasized the urgency of addressing educational inequalities while acknowledging recent gains.
“More and more young people are being deprived of education around the world each year. However, there is hope as many countries are making meaningful progress,” UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany said.
The report also points to persistent challenges affecting educational outcomes, particularly among girls. Child marriage remains a significant barrier to secondary education completion in several South Asian countries, contributing to higher dropout rates among adolescent girls. UNESCO believes that stronger gender-focused policies and community engagement initiatives will be essential to closing these gaps.
Meanwhile, regional education leaders are increasingly focusing on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) as tools for improving learning outcomes. A recent South Asian policy dialogue in Kathmandu brought together policymakers, universities, and international organizations to discuss responsible AI integration in higher education. The initiative aims to strengthen digital transformation, faculty readiness, and workforce development across the region.
Education experts argue that greater investment in teachers is equally important. During the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Teachers held in Bangkok, educators called for increased public funding, competitive salaries, and stronger professional support to address teacher shortages across the region. UNESCO estimates that the Asia-Pacific region still needs approximately 16.6 million teachers to achieve global education goals by 2030.
As governments work toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all, UNESCO's latest findings serve as both a warning and a call to action. The organization stresses that sustained investment, innovative policies, and digital transformation will be critical to ensuring that every child in Asia has access to quality education in the years ahead.
