How can investing in girls education boost the economy?

By Danielle Daley, digital community coordinator, Canada

Learn about the effects of keeping girls’ out of school and how the benefits of educated girls’ can positively affect the economy

Are you concerned about our fluctuating economy? The World Bank says, “Girls who complete secondary school are better equipped to become healthier, more prosperous adults”.

The need to educate girls all over the world has more benefits than you might think.

  • Globally, nine in ten girls complete their primary education
  • Globally, only three in four girls complete their lower secondary education
  • In lower-income countries, less than two thirds of girls complete their primary education
  • In lower-income countries, only one in three girls complete lower secondary school

Educating girls worldwide brings numerous benefits to individuals, communities and societies as a whole. Here are four key advantages:

  • Empowerment and gender equality
  • Improved health and well-being
  • Reduced child marriage and early pregnancy
  • Economic development

If every girl worldwide received 12 years of quality education, lifetime earnings for women could increase by $30 trillion globally. Women with primary education only earn 14% to 19% more than women with no education at all, but those with secondary education earn almost twice as much, a study called Missed Opportunities: The High Cost of Not Education Girls by The World Bank stated.

When girls’ receive an education, they acquire skills that enhance their employability and income-earning potential. Women’s economic participation leads to increased household income, poverty reduction and the overall economic advancement of communities globally.

When we invest in girl’s education, we all profit. Education is extraordinary – and investing in, and promoting, quality education for girls everywhere is the key to transforming the world we want to see.

Stand with girls who get things done, empower them by supporting girl’s education today

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.

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