Education Finance Watch 2021
COVID-19: Two-thirds of poorer countries are cutting their education budgets at a time when they can least afford to
Education budgets are not adjusting proportionately to the challenges brought about by COVID-19, especially in poorer countries. Despite additional funding needs, two-thirds of low- and lower-middle-income countries have, in fact, cut their public education budgets since the onset of the pandemic, according to the new joint World Bank – UNESCO report,
In comparison,
EFW demonstrates only one-third of upper-middle and high-income countries have reduced their budgets. These cuts have been relatively small so far, but there is a danger that they will grow as the pandemic continues to take its economic toll, and fiscal positions worsen. These differing trends imply a significant widening of already large spending disparities seen between low- and high-income countries.
Two-thirds of poorer countries are cutting education budgets due to COVID-19
Format
WASHINGTON/PARIS, February 22, 2021 – Education budgets are not adjusting proportionately to the challenges brought about by COVID-19, especially in poorer countries. Despite additional funding needs, two-thirds of low- and lower-middle-income countries have, in fact, cut their public education budgets since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the new joint World Bank – UNESCO
In comparison, only one-third of upper-middle and high-income countries have reduced their budgets. These budget cuts have been relatively small thus far, but there is a danger that future cuts will be larger, as the pandemic continues to take its economic toll, and fiscal positions worsen. These differing trends imply a significant widening of the already large spending disparities seen between low- and high-income countries.