The impact of population growth on education

Population growth, especially rapid growth, places huge demands on the education system of a country.

Increased numbers of school-aged children often results in less spending per child and resources having to be spread more thinly.

Education is recognised as the most reliable passport to a better standard of living, but many developing countries are not providing basic education for all.

• 885 million adults cannot read or write (one out of six men, one out of four women).
• Two thirds of all children out of school are girls.  

Universal Education

"Beyond the achievement of the goal of universal primary education in all countries before the year 2015, all countries are urged to ensure the widest and earliest possible access by girls and women to secondary and higher levels of education, as well as to vocational education and technical training, bearing in mind the need to improve the quality and relevance of that education." [para. 4.18]

The International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action