UN Report: Developing Nations Spend More on Debt Repayment than Education

UNESCO’s latest report reveals that in 113 developing countries, public funds earmarked for education were eclipsed by debt‑service payments, with 18 of those nations spending at least five times more on foreign loans than on schooling. The findings, released by the UN’s culture and education agency, highlight a stark prioritisation of external debt obligations over the education of millions of children.

The study shows that, on average, developing states allocated a larger share of their budgets to debt repayment than to educational programmes in 2025. In sub‑Saharan Africa, the gap widens further, with countries spending 3.6 times more on debt than on education. Compounding the problem, global aid directed toward education is projected to fall by up to 30% in the coming years, tightening the financial space for learning initiatives.

These trends suggest a growing risk that educational development will be increasingly compromised by fiscal pressures. The report underscores the need for policy makers to reassess budget allocations and international financial support to ensure that investment in human capital does not remain a secondary priority.