The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), hosted by the World Bank, has revealed in a new report that 118 million girls are currently out of school worldwide. The report, titled Why Invest in Girls’ Education, also highlighted the economic toll of this situation, estimating that the lack of education for girls results in a loss of $15 to $30 trillion in lifetime productivity and earnings.
The GPE stressed that education for girls is not only a fundamental right but also a powerful driver of economic growth. Investing in girls’ education, the report argues, is one of the smartest decisions a country can make. The GPE claims that for every $1 spent on girls’ rights and education, there is a potential return of $2.80. Moreover, it noted that just one additional year of schooling could increase a girl’s potential earnings by up to 20%.
Despite these benefits, the report underlined that millions of girls remain excluded from education, with 118.5 million girls still out of school globally, a reality that must be urgently addressed. This educational deprivation is a severe blow to both individuals and nations, preventing girls from reaching their full potential and contributing to significant losses in national economies.
In response, the GPE is advocating for stronger investments in girls’ education and has launched the Girls’ Education Accelerator program to support countries where girls’ education lags the most. Through this initiative, the GPE has raised nearly $180 million in funding from donors, private foundations, and matching funds, supporting 10 countries with the highest educational gaps for girls.
The report also highlighted the progress made in countries such as El Salvador and Zimbabwe, which have benefited from this program. In El Salvador, for instance, GPE funding helped create educational materials that address harmful gender stereotypes and revise national assessments to eliminate biased content. In Zimbabwe, the initiative supported 194,000 girls through scholarships and promoted safe learning environments, while also developing a national curriculum that builds girls’ self-esteem and confidence.
The GPE is urging the global community to increase funding for girls-focused initiatives, noting the substantial demand for the Girls’ Education Accelerator, particularly in countries like Nigeria and Pakistan, where high rates of child marriages and educational disparities persist.
The GPE emphasized that continued investment in girls’ education is crucial to ensure that every girl can access the life-changing benefits of quality education, which ultimately leads to stronger, more inclusive economies and societies.
