21/11/2016
The Benefits of Education
Girls and boys who learn to read, write and count will provide a better future for their families and countries. With improved education, so many other areas are positively affected. In short, education has the power to make the world a better place.
Education ...
Reduces poverty
If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty. This is equal to a 12% cut in global poverty.1
Increases income
One extra year of schooling increases an individual's earnings by up to 10%.2
Makes people healthier
Children of educated mothers are more likely to be vaccinated and less likely to be stunted because of malnourishment.3
Boosts economic growth
Each additional year of schooling raises average annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 0.37%.4
Saves children's lives
In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 1.8 million children's lives could be saved if their mothers had at least secondary education.5
Fosters peace
If the enrollment rate for secondary schooling is 10 percentage points higher than the average, the risk of war is reduced by about 3 percentage points6
Reduces fertility rates
One additional year of school reduces the probability of becoming a mother by 7.3 % for women who have completed at least primary education.7
Raises crop yields
Wages, agricultural income and productivity are higher where women involved in agriculture receive a better education.8
Reduces child marriage
If all girls had secondary education, child marriage would drop by 64%.9
Reduces maternal deaths
If all mothers completed primary education, maternal deaths would be reduced by two-thirds, saving 189,000 lives.10
Promotes gender equality
One additional school year can increase a woman's earnings by 10% to 20%.11
Combats HIV and AIDS
Women with post-primary education are five times more likely than illiterate women to be educated on the topic of HIV and AIDS.12
