Debt payments exceed education spending in 113 nations

A UNESCO report reveals that 113 countries, home to 6.1 billion people, now spend more on debt servicing than education. In low-income nations, debt payments are nearly four times education expenditure, with 18 heavily indebted countries spending at least five times more on debt. Net debt outflows from developing countries reached $741 billion between 2022 and 2024, the largest in 50 years, while education aid is projected to drop by 30% by 2027. The financial system prioritizes creditors over children, forcing governments to cut education funds.