Save the date: 2026 GEM Report launch on 25 March 2025
The ‘quiet’ revolution in schools: more and more countries are locking up phones
A ‘quiet’ revolution is underway in schools around the world. While the debates over digital learning rage on, a growing number of governments and education systems have taken a bold stance: phones off, and out of sight. New GEM Report analysis shows that, while one in four countries had smartphone restrictions in schools in 2023, this number has surged. Today, more than half of countries have policies restricting phone use in schools.
2026 GEM Report - Countdown to 2030: Access and equity
As the 2030 deadline draws nearer, there is a clear demand to take comprehensive stock of the progress achieved since the start of SDG 4. In this context, following a recommendation of the independent external evaluation of the GEM Report, its Advisory Board has recommended bringing education statistics to the forefront and introducing changes to the next three report cycles in the form of a Countdown to 2030 series.
Explore our online monitoring tools:
The UNESCO SDG 4 Scorecard dashboard visually displays progress towards countries SDG 4 benchmarks.
Summaries of key facts and trends in education around the world through five themes.
Highlights circumstances like wealth, gender, ethnicity and location in shaping opportunities for education.
2025 SDG 4 Scorecard: focus on out-of-school rates
The SDG 4 Scorecard assesses the probability of countries achieving their national education targets. In total, 80% of countries have submitted benchmark values for at least one of eight SDG 4 benchmark indicators.
The 2025 SDG 4 Scorecard focuses on the out‑of‑school rate showing that countries have collectively committed to reduce their out-of-school population by 165 million by 2030. However, it is projected that by 2025 countries will be off track by four percentage points among those of primary and lower secondary school age and by six percentage points among those of upper secondary school age. In total, this means that, already by 2025, countries will be off-track by 75 million relative to their national targets.
This Scorecard shows that the challenge they face is also larger than previously thought. The global out-of-school population is now estimated to have been 272 million in 2023, 21 million more than the last estimate, based on the UIS and GEM Report model results.
Leadership in education
The 2024/5 GEM Report examines the requirements of good leadership in education and how they vary between countries and over time.
Leadership is at the heart of quality education. There is a growing belief that educational leadership is the second most important factor, after teachers, explaining learning outcomes. Leaders at multiple levels matter, from those within the school, to those outside of the school such as middle managers, and including those outside of education systems in government, or those working on legislature and oversight.
Download the full report, the summary version, executive summary, social media resources and visit the report page for more online resources.
Meet the Spotlight children
All children are #Borntolearn. But so many never do. Visit our website which is dedicated to showcasing the education journeys of four school children in Africa, Godfred, Priscilla, Rougui and Pape. As part of the GEM Report Spotlight Series, this platform offers an exclusive glimpse into the lives of these young learners as they navigate their educational paths in diverse contexts.
Embark on a virtual journey as you explore the unique experiences, aspirations, and accomplishments of these remarkable children.
