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The UNESCO GEM Report 2026 found that Indian women now outnumber men in higher education. But a sharp rural-urban gap leaves rural girls behind at the school-completion stage.
Context of the News
What Is the GEM Report?
- An independent annual report, hosted and published by UNESCO
- Mandated under the Education 2030 Incheon Declaration
- It tracks progress on Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is about education
Findings Related to India
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1. Rural-Urban Gender Gap
| Area | Upper Secondary GPI |
|---|---|
| India overall | 0.89 |
| Rural India | 0.59 |
| Urban India | 1.00 (Parity) |
- Rural India has only 59 girls completing upper secondary education for every 100 boys.
- Major barriers include distance to schools, safety concerns and household responsibilities.
2. Women Leading in Higher Education
| Indicator | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Education GER | 31.2% | 28.9% |
- Higher education GPI: 1.08.
- Women have led enrolment for seven consecutive years.
- Women’s enrolment increased from 1.57 crore (2014–15) to 2.24 crore (2023–24), a rise of 42.2%.
3. Other Education Indicators
- Secondary dropout rate: 7%.
- School retention rate: 51.9%.
- Girls’ share in total school enrolment: 48.4%.
- India has reduced over 65% of its original gender gap in upper secondary completion since 2000.
Factors Behind India’s Progress
- School Meals: Free meals improved primary enrolment among girls, particularly in poor rural areas.
- Separate Toilets: Improved enrolment and retention of adolescent girls.
- Girls’ Clubs: Peer support and life-skills training improved secondary completion in Karnataka.
Major Challenges
- Rural girls face safety concerns, long travel distances and household responsibilities.
- Education funding does not adequately reach disadvantaged communities.
- One in three countries does not report rural-urban education gaps.
- Delayed enrolment and grade progression affect timely school completion.
UNESCO’s Recommendations
- Include education targets in government budgets.
- Increase funding for rural schools and disadvantaged communities.
- Combine infrastructure, social protection and institutional reforms.
- Focus on completion rates rather than enrolment figures alone.
Important Facts for Examsmost asked
- GEM Report 2026 by UNESCO, tracking SDG 4
- Out-of-school numbers rose to 273 million in 2024, the seventh straight rise; 13 million more in conflict areas are not counted
- Enrolment since 2000: pre-primary +45, primary and secondary +30, tertiary +161 per cent
- India’s upper secondary GPI: 0.89 overall, 0.59 rural, parity urban
- India is a fast-progress country, closing over 65 per cent of its original gap since 2000
- Women’s GER 31.2 per cent against men’s 28.9; GPI 1.08; women ahead for seven years
- Women in higher education: 1.57 crore (2014-15) → 2.24 crore (2023-24), up 42.2 per cent
- Secondary dropout 7 per cent; retention 51.9 per cent; girls 48.4 per cent of enrolment
- Fewer than 10 per cent of countries have equity-focused funding
- One in three countries does not report rural-urban gaps; one in two does not report wealth gaps
- UNESCO was founded in 1945, headquartered at Paris
- India’s related schemes: PM POSHAN (mid-day meal), Samagra Shiksha, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, KGBV residential schools for girls
- NEP 2020 aims to raise higher education GER to 50 per cent by 2035
- UNESCO established: 1945.
- Headquarters: Paris, France.
- Related SDG: SDG 4 – Quality Education.
