Education data keeps reshaping what “progress” looks like. In 2020, 1.6 billion students were affected by COVID school closures, yet teacher and tech readiness still varied sharply, with 78% of teachers saying they needed more training to use digital tools for teaching. This post brings those contrasts together with today’s key figures on access, learning poverty, graduation, and costs so you can see where the system is improving and where it is still stuck.
Key Takeaways
- 763 million adult learners worldwide participated in education and training in 2018 (ages 15+), per UNESCO modeling.
- 25 million tertiary school-age students were out of school in 2021.
- 48.3 million children were enrolled in pre-primary education in the US in 2020.
- 1.6 billion students were affected by school closures at the peak of COVID-19 in 2020.
- 78% of teachers reported needing further training to effectively use digital tools for teaching.
- 48% of colleges and universities in the US reported using a learning management system (LMS) for instruction in 2020.
- US K-12 per-pupil spending increased from $10,800 in 2011–12 to $14,604 in 2020–21 (inflation-adjusted not specified in source table).
- US public K-12 schools’ total expenditures were $799 billion in fiscal year 2020.
- The average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year institutions in the US was $39,723 for 2022–23.
- In OECD countries, 44% of 15-year-old students report that they expect to complete tertiary education (PISA 2022 student questionnaire).
- In the US, unemployment rate for high school graduates (no college) was 4.1% in 2023 (BLS).
- In 2023, the WEF estimated that employers expected 23% of workers to require upskilling by 2027.
- In the US, the 4-year high school graduation rate was 86.0% for the cohort graduating in 2021.
- US NAEP eighth-grade math scores declined by 3 points from 2019 to 2022.
- 53% of children and youth in low- and middle-income countries were in learning poverty in 2022 (inability to reach minimum proficiency in reading by age 10).
Nearly 1.6 billion learners were disrupted by COVID and teacher training and learning gaps still persist globally.
Related reading
Global Enrollment
1763 million adult learners worldwide participated in education and training in 2018 (ages 15+), per UNESCO modeling.[1]
Directional
225 million tertiary school-age students were out of school in 2021.[2]
Verified
348.3 million children were enrolled in pre-primary education in the US in 2020.[3]
Verified
Global Enrollment Interpretation
Global Enrollment shows both reach and gaps at the same time, with 763 million adult learners taking part in education and training in 2018 while 25 million tertiary school age students were still out of school in 2021 and 48.3 million children were enrolled in US pre primary education in 2020.
More related reading
Digital Learning
11.6 billion students were affected by school closures at the peak of COVID-19 in 2020.[4]
Verified
278% of teachers reported needing further training to effectively use digital tools for teaching.[5]
Directional
348% of colleges and universities in the US reported using a learning management system (LMS) for instruction in 2020.[6]
Verified
428% of higher education institutions reported using video conferencing platforms for distance instruction in 2020.[7]
Verified
Digital Learning Interpretation
At the height of COVID-19, 1.6 billion students were affected by school closures, and the push toward digital learning was reflected in the fact that 78% of teachers said they needed more training to use digital tools effectively.
More related reading
Education Costs
1US K-12 per-pupil spending increased from $10,800 in 2011–12 to $14,604 in 2020–21 (inflation-adjusted not specified in source table).[8]
Verified
2US public K-12 schools’ total expenditures were $799 billion in fiscal year 2020.[9]
Verified
3The average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year institutions in the US was $39,723 for 2022–23.[10]
Verified
Education Costs Interpretation
From 2011–12 to 2020–21, US K-12 per-pupil spending rose from $10,800 to $14,604, underscoring how steadily rising education costs at the public school level translate into major overall spending of $799 billion in 2020.
More related reading
Education Labor & Skills
1In OECD countries, 44% of 15-year-old students report that they expect to complete tertiary education (PISA 2022 student questionnaire).[11]
Verified
2In the US, unemployment rate for high school graduates (no college) was 4.1% in 2023 (BLS).[12]
Single source
3In 2023, the WEF estimated that employers expected 23% of workers to require upskilling by 2027.[13]
Verified
4In the EU, 47.0% of adults aged 25–34 have at least tertiary education (2023 Eurostat).[14]
Single source
51,600,000 new teachers were needed globally between 2021 and 2030 to meet education commitments (UNESCO estimate).[15]
Verified
6Teacher shortages are forecast to leave a gap of about 44 million teachers globally by 2030 if current trends persist (UNESCO/ILO projections).[16]
Directional
7In the US, there were about 3.3 million public and private K-12 teachers in 2021.[17]
Verified
Education Labor & Skills Interpretation
Across education labor and skills, teacher demand is set to outpace supply, with UNESCO estimating 1.6 million new teachers needed globally by 2030 and shortages potentially creating a 44 million teacher gap if current trends continue.
More related reading
Outcomes & Achievement
1In the US, the 4-year high school graduation rate was 86.0% for the cohort graduating in 2021.[18]
Verified
2US NAEP eighth-grade math scores declined by 3 points from 2019 to 2022.[19]
Verified
353% of children and youth in low- and middle-income countries were in learning poverty in 2022 (inability to reach minimum proficiency in reading by age 10).[20]
Verified
410.1% of the global population has a disability (World Bank/WHO estimates often used in education accessibility work; 2023 WHO/World Bank).[21]
Verified
51.1% of students globally are out of school with a disability (UNESCO global estimates).[22]
Verified
Outcomes & Achievement Interpretation
Under the Outcomes and Achievement frame, performance and access gaps are clear as the US 4 year high school graduation rate reached 86.0% in 2021 while global learning poverty remains high at 53% in 2022 and US NAEP eighth grade math scores fell by 3 points from 2019 to 2022.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Education Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/education-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Education Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/education-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Education Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/education-statistics.
References
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- 11oecd.org/en/publications/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-6a0a60d1-en.html
- 12bls.gov/cps/cpsaat01.htm
- 13weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/
- 14ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Educational_attainment_statistics
- 19nationsreportcard.gov/highlights/
- 20documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099064005052330771/learning-poverty-update-2022
- 21who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health