Learning Interrupted

Global Snapshot on Climate-related School Disruptions in 2025

A student walking around a classroom destroyed by a storm.
UNICEF/UNI779465/Ralaivita

Highlights

Climate shocks are shutting classroom doors around the world, disrupting children’s learning and threatening their futures. From flooded classrooms to shuttered schools, climate shocks are closing the door on children’s learning around the world. 

UNICEF’s analysis on climate-related school disruptions in 2025 reveals several key findings including:  

  1. Globally, at least 171 million students – from pre-primary to upper secondary education – experienced school disruptions due to climate events in 2025.  
  1. Climate-related school disruptions in 2025 could cost affected students at least US$200 billion in lifetime earnings through lost learning and widening education inequities. 
  1. At least 1 in 10 students had their schooling disrupted due to climate-related hazards in 2025. 
  1. 75 per cent of the 171 million affected students are in low- and lower middle-income countries. 
  1. Schools in 106 countries or territories were affected by climate hazards, with 40 countries experiencing multiple instances of school disruptions.  
A student walking around a classroom destroyed by a storm.
Author(s)
UNICEF
Publication date
Languages
English

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