Education is at the heart of social and economic development. It has the power to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty and inequality, and promote social cohesion and good governance. Educated mothers are more likely to have healthier children and higher incomes, and studies show that education contributes to the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Yet today, one in five adults in the developing world — almost 862 million people — cannot read or write. Women's illiteracy rates exceed 70 percent in more than 20 developing nations. For millions of children, the future also is bleak: 125 million primary school-aged children are not in school, two-thirds of whom are girls. Some 150 million children do not complete primary school, and another 200 million suffer in poor learning environments. Unless something is done, these children may be left out of the increasingly global economy and find themselves on the sidelines of their own societies.

Key Facts:

In country after country, CARE staff are promoting the importance of education for girls, helping communities mobilize resources at the local level, supporting schools and teachers, raising awareness about barriers to girls' education, and implementing solutions.

As part of our commitment to education, CARE is a proud member of the following coalitions and partnerships: