How many children in the world are getting a proper education?

Jun 15, 2022

On a desk are a pile of books with an apple on top, coloured pencils and ABC wooden blocks.

In many schools around the world, especially in the poorest countries, children learn very little. Image: Unsplash/Element5 Digital

Max Roser

Programme Director, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford

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Education, Skills and Learning

Chart showing child literacy skills around the world.

In the very poorest countries of the world, 90% of children are not able to read with comprehension when they reach the end of primary school. Image: Our World in Data

Chart showing average mathematics test scores in Brazil by household income.

The learning outcomes of Brazilian children map onto the economic inequality. Image: Our World in Data

Chart showing average mathematics test scores in various countries by household income.

The differences between countries are often much larger than the differences within countries. Image: Our World in Data

Chart showing child learning outcomes across the world, by household income.

The average income level of the country is more important for a student’s learning than the income of the particular family within that country. Image: Our World in Data

Chart showing the share of the global population who are literate.

In the majority of countries children are learning more now than years ago. Image: Our World in Data

Chart showing test scores in study schools.

Overall test scores increased by 59 percentage points. Image: Our World in Data

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