Girls missing in secondary school classroomsPrimary school enrolment rates have risen all over the world in recent decades, and the gender gap in primary education is beginning to close. But, when it comes to secondary education, it is a different story.
More boys than girls attend secondary school in 25 countries, but rates are low for In 25 countries the proportion of boys enrolling in secondary school is higher than girls by 10% or more, and in five -- India, Nepal, Togo, Turkey and Yemen -- the gap exceeds 20%. In more than 40 countries worldwide, fewer than 25% of girls are enrolled in secondary school. The worst disparity is found in South Asia, where 52% of boys but only 33% of girls enrol -- a gap of 19%. Secondary enrolment is low for both boys and girls in sub-Saharan Africa, with rates of just 27% and 22%, respectively, but nonetheless, girls trail behind. In contrast, 13 countries have higher enrolment rates for girls than boys by 10% or more. Girls generally lead boys in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 56% of girls and 52% of boys enrolled in secondary school.
* Includes all students enrolled in secondary school regardless of age. ** Disparity due to higher enrolment in secondary vocational schools for young women age 20 and older. Source: UNESCO Statistical Yearbook 1997. (Data: 1990-95.)
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