Being in school does not guarantee that a child receives high-quality education. In fact, in many countries, the data shows that children learn very little. Globally, four in ten students do not meet minimum proficiency levels in reading by the end of primary (SDG 4 Benchmark Indicator 4.1.1). Even fewer achieve basic skills in mathematics, with less than half (44%) meeting minimum proficiency levels at the end of primary.

Globally, women accounted for only 31% of all researchers in 2022. At the regional level, the share of women researchers varies widely, with only Latin America and the Caribbean close to gender parity.

Adequate physical infrastructure is a key component of effective educational provision. However, many schools do not have the most basic facilities. Only a third of primary schools in sub-Saharan Africa have access to electricity, and globally less than half of primary schools have access to the internet for pedagogical purposes.