Learning interrupted: Global snapshot on climate-related school disruptions in 2025

This UNICEF global snapshot examines climate-related school disruptions in 2025, finding that at least 171 million students from pre-primary to upper secondary education experienced disruption across 106 countries and territories. The analysis focuses mainly on acute climate shocks, including storms, floods and other events that cause discrete, observable interruptions to schooling.

The 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.  
2. 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. 
3. At least 1 in 10 students had their schooling disrupted due to climate-related hazards in 2025. 
4. 75 per cent of the 171 million affected students are in low- and lower middle-income countries. 
5. Schools in 106 countries or territories were affected by climate hazards, with 40 countries experiencing multiple instances of school disruptions.