Global childhood illiteracy remains a significant challenge, with only one in three 10-year-olds able to understand a basic paragraph in their own language. This issue, known as “learning poverty,” is particularly severe in low-income countries, where the rate is 92%. Although it is much lower in high-income countries, the global average still stands at 64%. This disparity highlights the urgent need for educational reform and investment, especially in regions where children lack access to quality education.
Global funding for education is also highly skewed. High-income countries receive 63% of global public investment in education, despite having only 10% of the world’s children. In contrast, low-income countries, home to 25% of the world’s children, receive less than 1% of this investment. This underfunding limits the potential of millions of children to contribute meaningfully to society and sustainable development.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4) target inclusive and equitable quality education, but progress is slow. Many countries still struggle with basic literacy, and the focus on more advanced skills like STEM, global citizenship, and environmental education is lacking. Political and financial barriers, such as short-term political cycles and limited access to affordable long-term financing, further hinder the achievement of these goals.
To address these challenges, a significant increase in global investment and collaboration is needed. A global investment fund for education could help bridge the funding gap, supporting infrastructure development, teacher training, and curriculum improvements. This would not only improve educational outcomes but also foster sustainable development and global stability for future generations.
