Refugee Education Gains Threatened by Funding Cuts, UNHCR Warns

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has warned that progress in refugee education is at serious risk due to global funding cuts, despite recent improvements in school and university enrollment for displaced children and youth. The agency’s 10th annual Refugee Education Report paints a picture of fragile progress that could quickly unravel without sustained investment.

According to UNHCR, tertiary enrollment among refugees rose to 9 percent in 2025, up from 7 percent the year before, an encouraging step toward the global target of 15 percent by 2030. Yet the overall outlook remains troubling: nearly half of the world’s 12.4 million school-age refugees are still out of school, meaning around 5.7 million children are missing out on education.

The report highlights the many barriers facing displaced students, including legal restrictions, language challenges, lack of recognition for prior learning, and financial difficulties. These obstacles have widened the education gap between refugee children and their peers in host countries, particularly in low-income and conflict-affected regions.

While gender parity has not yet been achieved, UNHCR notes some progress, with more girls entering primary school and improved access for young women at the secondary level. However, the agency stresses that data gaps remain a major challenge, making it difficult to design and implement effective education policies. New assessments conducted in Mauritania and Mexico show that many refugee learners struggle with foundational skills, reinforcing the need for more inclusive and targeted approaches.

UNHCR emphasizes that education for refugees is more than a basic right; it provides protection, supports self-reliance, and enables communities to contribute meaningfully to society. The agency warns that without renewed funding commitments, recent gains could be lost, jeopardizing the futures of millions of displaced children.

Source: UNHCR