Note: We list typical age ranges for the grade levels above. Actual age ranges vary by country.
Data source: UNESCO (2023) Visualizing Indicators of Education for the World (VIEW)
As they get older, more girls drop out of school. Girls in low-income countries drop out at particularly high rates, as shown below.
What keeps adolescent girls out of school?
Gender bias
At home, in the classroom and in wider society, deep-rooted beliefs about gender shape practices and policies that limit girls’ opportunities to learn.
Poverty
Families who can’t afford school fees are more likely to send boys than girls to school.
Conflict
Girls living in areas with conflict are 90% more likely to be out of secondary school than girls in areas without conflict.
Gender-based violence
In lower-income countries, 20% of girls who suffer sexual violence experience it in school, greatly impacting their learning and attendance.
Education quality
Poor education quality prevents students from learning what they need to thrive in today’s world and reinforces gender discrimination in school and society.
Inadequate facilities
Governments in lower-income countries lack the funds to provide good secondary schools, teachers and sanitation facilities where girls can properly manage their periods.
Early marriage & pregnancy
Nearly 19% of young women are married and 13% give birth before turning 18. Most married and pregnant girls drop out of school.
Climate change
By 2025 climate change will be a contributing factor in preventing at least 12.5 million girls from completing their education each year.
Why invest
in girls’ education?
The fight for girls’ education won’t be won by girls alone. Join the movement.
For supporters
More than 122 million girls are out of school today. Your support helps break down the barriers holding them back.
For the public
Hear directly from the girls we work with as they share their challenges, aspirations and how they’re fighting for girls’ education.
For advocates
Engage with our policy publications to learn about the issues that impact girls’ education and how we can drive change for girls.