A recent analysis by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals that extreme weather events caused significant disruptions to education globally in 2024. Approximately 242 million students across 85 countries missed classes due to heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts.
According to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, “Severe weather kept one in seven students out of class, threatening their health and safety, and impacting their long-term education.” The countries most affected by climate-related school interruptions included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
The analysis highlights that 74% of affected students lived in low- and lower-middle-income countries, with South Asia being the hardest-hit region, affecting 128 million students. Other regions, including East Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and Europe, also experienced devastating consequences.
UNICEF emphasizes that education is frequently disrupted due to climate hazards, yet it is often overlooked in policy discussions. The organization stresses that children’s futures must be prioritized in all climate-related plans and actions.
