A new Unesco report reveals that most developing countries spent more repaying foreign debt than on education last year, with children in 113 nations losing out as global education aid faces steep cuts.
Key facts
- 113 developing countries spent more on servicing foreign debt than on education in 2025, according to Unesco.
- 18 countries spent five times more on debt repayments than on education.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, countries spent 3.6 times more on debt than on education.
- Global aid to education is predicted to decline by up to 30%.
Most developing countries spent less on education than they did repaying debt last year, according to the UN’s culture and education agency, Unesco, as reported by the Guardian. The finding highlights a growing tension between servicing foreign loans and funding classrooms in some of the world’s poorest nations.
The Unesco research found that more was spent on servicing foreign debt than on education in 113 developing countries in 2025. The report frames the trend as children losing out to debt repayments across those nations.
Among the countries studied, 18 spent five times more on loan repayments than on education, according to the report. The scale of the gap underscores how heavily debt obligations weigh on national budgets.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the disparity was particularly pronounced, with countries spending 3.6 times more on debt than on education, the Guardian reported based on the Unesco findings.
The pressure on education budgets comes as global aid to education is predicted to decline by up to 30%, according to the report. That combination of rising debt costs and falling external support raises questions about how developing countries will maintain investment in schools.
The report draws attention to the choices facing governments that must balance repayment of foreign creditors against long-term investment in their populations, particularly children who rely on publicly funded education.
Why it matters
Education funding is a key driver of long-term economic development and opportunity, especially for children in the world's poorest countries. When debt repayments outpace spending on schools and aid is also shrinking, a generation's access to learning can be put at risk.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries spent more on debt than education?
According to the Unesco report cited by the Guardian, 113 developing countries spent more on servicing foreign debt than on education in 2025.
How much more did sub-Saharan African countries spend on debt?
In sub-Saharan Africa, countries spent 3.6 times more on debt than on education, according to the report.
What is happening to global education aid?
Global aid to education is predicted to decline by up to 30%, according to the Unesco research.