Over 171 Million Students Face Climate‑Related School Disruptions in 2025

UNICEF’s latest analysis shows that more than 171 million learners worldwide—about one in ten—had their schooling interrupted by climate events in 2025. Storms were the leading cause, affecting 109 million students, followed by floods (70 million) and heat waves (50 million). Forty countries recorded multiple disruptions, with Pakistan’s monsoon floods delaying the start of the school year for 28 million pupils and Egypt’s 2025 Khamsin sandstorm suspending classes nationwide for a day, also impacting 28 million children. In Madagascar, 280 000 students were hit by a series of droughts, cyclones and floods, while Spain’s Valencian community saw 500 000 pupils affected by storms and a post‑tropical cyclone. The report warns that such interruptions raise dropout rates—especially for girls who face added household burdens—and could cost U. S. workers at least $200 billion in lifetime earnings. UNICEF urges governments to strengthen climate resilience in schools, increase funding, and embed climate education to safeguard learning continuity.