Education, the engine of progress

Education is a powerful engine of inclusive growth and long-term prosperity. It unlocks transformative impact and multiplies progress across all development goals, including:

Economic growth

Just 1 additional year of schooling can increase annual income by nearly 10%, fueling greater savings, spending and tax revenue, and ultimately supporting economic self-reliance.

Jobs and skills

Quality education equips young people with the skills to thrive in rapidly evolving labor markets shaped by technological shifts—including AI—and the transition to greener economies.

Peace and stability

Quality learning helps tackle the drivers of violence, build resilience to extremism and foster more cohesive, equal and stable societies.

Resilience

Education lays the groundwork for resilient societies, equipping children and communities to navigate crises, recover from shocks and adapt to economic and social changes.

Health

A child whose mother can read is 50% more likely to live past the age of 5, be immunized and attend school. Schools deliver health education and act as platforms for vital public health and nutrition services.

Equality

Since 1980, better education has reduced poverty by 40%. For girls, each additional year of schooling reduces the likelihood of child marriage and increases lifetime earnings—unlocking generational gains and expanding women’s participation in the workforce, fueling stronger, more inclusive economies.

Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Cofounder, Malala Fund

Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Cofounder, Malala Fund

“As a champion for global education, I’ve seen how a single opportunity can open many doors. When we invest in education through GPE, we don’t just change lives—we set new possibilities in motion for every child, every community, everywhere.”

Viet Nam: Fueling economic ascent with education

Viet Nam’s remarkable transformation into a fast-growing economy has been powered by sustained public investment in education. With GDP growing steadily at 6–7% annually, a pipeline of skilled workers fuels innovation, increases productivity and fosters inclusive growth.

Since joining GPE in 2003, the country has made significant progress in expanding access and improving learning outcomes. GPE’s support has evolved—decreasing in volume while increasingly focusing on reaching the most marginalized learners, most recently through a cofinanced program with the Nippon Foundation, managed by Save the Children Italia, that aims to get children with disabilities and from ethnic minorities into school and learning.