In this article, we will take a look at the 5 countries with education problems. If you would like to take a look at our detailed analysis of the economic impact of education, you can go to 25 Countries with Education Problems.
05. Guinea-Bissau
Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.1% (2013)
Female Enrollment Percentage: 12% (2000)
Literacy Rate: 54% (2022)
Average Ranking: 12.3
UNICEF estimates that one-third of the children of school-going age do not have access to education. Only 7% of children aged 7-14 demonstrate the expected numeracy skills, whereas only 12% come up in reading. Frequent teacher strikes, early child marriages, extreme poverty, and lack of sanitation facilities are just some of the factors hindering the provision of adequate education.
04. Guinea
Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2% (2022)
Female Enrollment Percentage: 31% (2021)
Literacy Rate: 45% (2021)
Average Ranking: 11.3
In 2021, Guinea had a literacy rate of 45%, making it one of the world’s countries with the worst education systems. To improve childhood access to education, the World Bank is running the Education Project for Results in Early Childhood and Basic Education in Guinea from 2019 to 2024, with a commitment amount of around $50 million.
03. Central African Republic
Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 2.1% (2022)
Female Enrollment Percentage: 12% (2017)
Literacy Rate: 37% (2020)
Average Ranking: 9.3
The Central African Republic had a literacy rate of 37% in 2020, which is one of the lowest in the world. The country spent around 2.1% of its GDP on education in 2022. Approximately 54% of girls and 33% of boys do not complete basic education, which also emphasizes the gender gap in access to education.
02. South Sudan
Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 1.6% (2016)
Female Enrollment Percentage: 8% (2015)
Literacy Rate: 35% (2018)
Average Ranking: 4.3
According to UNICEF data, around 70% of South Sudan’s children are out of school, most of whom are girls. In 2018, the country had a literacy rate of 35%. The ongoing conflict in the country worsens the situation even further while also hindering access to updated data on the situation of education.
01. Somalia
Education Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP: 0.3% (2019)
Female Enrollment Percentage: 4% (2007)
Literacy Rate: 41% (2022)
Average Ranking: 3.3
In 2019, Somalia spent 0.3% of its GDP on education, the lowest in the world. In 2022, the country had a literacy rate of 41%. Both of these metrics make Somalia number one on our list of countries with the most education problems. According to UNICEF, more than three million children in Somalia are out of school.
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