More than 171 million students or one in 10 children from pre-primary to upper secondary age worldwide had their education disrupted by climate related hazards in 2025, according to a new analysis by UNICEF.
The report Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate Related School Disruptions in 2025 analysed data from 106 countries and territories. It found that storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires disrupted education through school closures, damaged infrastructure, reduced attendance, shortened instructional time and shifts to remote learning.
“Climate hazards do more than disrupt lessons, they destroy schools, uproot families, and push the most vulnerable children, especially girls, out of the classroom for good,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.
Storms, floods among biggest disruptors
Storms were the most widespread cause of school disruption in 2025, affecting an estimated 109 million students worldwide. Floods affected at least 70 million students, while heatwaves disrupted schooling for around 50 million children.
Three quarters of the students affected by climate related disruptions lived in low and lower middle income countries, where education systems often have fewer resources to prepare for and respond to extreme weather.
Pakistan was among the countries most severely affected. Severe monsoon flooding in August delayed the return to school for more than 28 million students. In Egypt, a powerful Khamsin wind and dust storm led to a nationwide suspension of classes for one day in April, also affecting more than 28 million students.
Climate related disruptions were not limited to single events. UNICEF found that 40 countries experienced multiple rounds of school disruption during the year.
In Madagascar, droughts, tropical cyclones and floods affected about 280,000 students at different points in 2025. In Spain, more than 500,000 students in the Valencian Community were affected by storms in March, while extreme heat disrupted classes in other parts of the country during May and June.
The disruption of education can have consequences that extend well beyond missed classroom time. UNICEF warned that learning losses and increased dropout rates can reduce workforce productivity, slow economic growth and make it harder for countries to reduce poverty.
The analysis estimates that inaction could result in at least $200 billion in lost lifetime earnings for students who experienced climate related school disruptions in 2025.
Girls face particular risks when schools are damaged or closed. Displacement, loss of household income and inadequate sanitation can increase caregiving and water collection responsibilities for girls. These pressures can also raise the risk of child marriage and make it harder for girls to return to school once classes resume.
Building climate resilient education systems
UNICEF said education systems can reduce these impacts by strengthening school infrastructure, incorporating climate resilience into national education planning and ensuring learning continues during and after emergencies.
The agency is calling for increased domestic and international financing for education resilience, investment in climate resilient schools and stronger systems for collecting climate and education data.
It also urged governments to equip children and young people with knowledge and skills to adapt to climate risks and participate in climate action.
“Climate hazards threaten children’s lives and futures,” Russell said, stressing the need to invest in schools and education systems capable of withstanding climate shocks.