The numbers have barely decreased since 2007, when 135 million, or 12.8%, of children missed out on learning. With their high poverty levels, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for 75% of the global out-of-school primary- and lower-secondary school age population. Children living in the world’s poorest countries and in conflict zones are disproportionately affected, with 40% of out-of-school children living in the least developed countries (LDCs) and 20% in conflict zones. With their high poverty levels, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for 75% of the global out-of-school primary- and lower-secondary school age population. At approximately 16 million, the number of out-of-school children across the Middle East and North Africa, where many countries are plagued by wars, is at its 2007 level.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 12, 2017 15:11 UTC