World Bank Drives Education Access and Quality in 85 Countries

The World Bank Group is the largest global financier of education, working in 85 countries to improve access to and the quality of education. Committed to achieving SDG 4 by 2030, the World Bank aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education, as well as lifelong learning opportunities for all. Through its investments and support, it focuses on helping countries build effective education systems that benefit all learners and contribute to sustainable development.

Education serves as a crucial foundation for creating jobs, and stable employment is a key factor in lifting people out of poverty. As a major catalyst for development, education is one of the most effective tools in reducing poverty while enhancing health, gender equality, peace, and stability. It yields significant and consistent returns, particularly in terms of income, and is essential for promoting fairness and inclusion.

For individuals, education is a pathway to better job opportunities, higher earnings, improved health, and poverty alleviation. On a global scale, each additional year of schooling increases hourly earnings by 10%. For societies, education drives sustained economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and enhances social unity.

Countries in the developing world have made remarkable strides in getting children into school, with more children enrolled globally than ever before. However, education alone doesn’t guarantee learning outcomes, as highlighted by the 2018 World Development Report (WDR).

Smart investments in education are crucial for developing human capital and equipping young people with the necessary skills to secure employment. Central to this strategy is addressing the learning crisis and helping youth acquire advanced cognitive, socioemotional, technical, and digital skills required to thrive in today’s world.

Nevertheless, there is a deep crisis in learning.

More than 250 million children are currently out of school. Learning outcomes remain alarmingly low, with 70% of children in low- and middle-income countries unable to read or comprehend a simple paragraph by age 10. The situation is even more dire in sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of children struggle with basic reading comprehension. This challenge is expected to worsen as the youth population in this region grows by 40% by 2050. From January 2022 to June 2024, over 400 million students experienced school closures due to extreme weather events.

Investments in education remain inadequate, with low-income nations spending only $55 per student annually, while public debt continues to limit funding for social services.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the learning crisis. The extensive school closures could result in a lifetime earnings loss of $21 trillion for today’s children, a sharp increase from the earlier estimate of $17 trillion. In addition, skill gaps and mismatches are creating difficulties for youth in a dynamic job market. Globally, almost 25% of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are neither employed nor engaged in education or training, with even higher rates in Southern and Northern Africa and Southern Asia, where 35% of youth are affected.

Investing in high-quality early childhood development that focuses on numeracy, literacy, and socio-emotional skills offers children the best chance for success. These foundational skills are essential for children to become productive adults and adaptable workers in the future. If children cannot read with comprehension by age 10, they are unlikely to ever become proficient readers. They will face challenges later in school and struggle to build successful careers.

As these children grow into adults, equipping them with relevant, transferable skills can improve labor quality and align it with the changing demands of the workforce. Well-designed technical and vocational programs can help develop these skills, but success depends on aligning programs with the needs of employers. Effective skilling programs require updated curricula, a blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience, and placement services that connect students with employers.

Lifelong learning also plays a vital role in helping workers maintain productivity throughout their careers. Expanding training in sectors like healthcare, where AI is transforming workforce needs, helps workers adapt to the evolving labor market.

The World Bank is dedicated to collaborating with countries to create education systems that promote quality learning at all levels, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has access to learning opportunities. By leveraging its technical, financial, and knowledge partnerships, the World Bank supports countries in building foundational skills such as literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills, paving the way for sustainable career paths. As the largest financier of education, the World Bank has a $26.5 billion portfolio across 85 countries, impacting 305 million students, including 146 million women and girls. Investing in education is a long-term investment in both individuals' futures and societal prosperity.

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Source: worldbank‍