UNHCR Warns Refugee Education Threatened by Global Funding Cuts

Funding cuts to humanitarian and development aid threaten to reverse decades of progress for millions of school-age refugee children globally, according to a 2025 report by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). The agency reported that out of an estimated 13.1 million school-age refugee children worldwide, nearly half—5.8 million—remain out of school due to ongoing displacements caused by war, conflict, violence, and persecution.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih stated that reductions in education financing risk closing opportunities for a generation of young people. According to the UNHCR report, the transition from primary to secondary education presents a significant obstacle. In 2025, primary school enrollment among refugees stood at 65 per cent, but only 32 per cent were enrolled in secondary education. Additionally, the report noted that two out of three young refugees lack foundational learning prior to starting primary school.

A pronounced gender disparity also emerges at the secondary level. While boys and girls attend primary school at comparable rates, adolescent girls drop out in higher numbers due to poverty, early marriage, safety concerns, and related pressures.

In contrast, higher education participation among refugees reached a record 11 per cent in 2025, encompassing more than 450,000 students enrolled in universities or technical and vocational programs. UNHCR noted that this progress keeps it on track toward its "15×30" target, which aims for 15 per cent refugee higher education enrollment by 2030.

However, significant disparities in higher education access persist. The report found that refugee tertiary enrollment falls below national averages in more than 80 per cent of reporting countries. In low-income and conflict-affected nations, refugee higher education enrollment was recorded at two per cent, compared to 13 per cent for host-country nationals.

UNHCR called on international donors and development partners to protect education funding and support national host-country systems by investing in teachers, learning materials, and infrastructure to assist both refugees and local communities.

Source