What Is the Role of Education in Poverty Reduction?

1. Education is linked to economic growth. According to a 2021 study, 75% of GDP growth worldwide from 1960 to 2000 was fueled by progress in math and science competencies globally.[2]
2. Education is linked to lower infant and mother mortality rates. UNESCO estimates that if all women had completed primary education, there would be a global reduction of 66 percent in maternal deaths and a 15 percent reduction in child deaths.[3]
3. Education lowers stunting rates. A study in Bangladesh showed that greater maternal education led to a 4.6 percent drop in the odds for childhood stunting, and greater paternal education lowered the odds of child stunting by between 2.9 and 5.4 percent.[4]
4. Education reduces incidents of child marriage. The World Bank says that “each year of secondary education a girl receives could reduce the likelihood of her marrying before the age of 18 by five percentage points or more in many countries.”[5]

Because education is so effective in ending poverty and many of its consequences, like stunting and child marriage, organizations like GFA World are working to give children living in poverty the opportunity to attend school. Through the donations of sponsors, children in our Child Sponsorship Program receive the support they need to be successful in education. This help can be tutoring help, food, clean water, healthcare and hygiene training. Such efforts don’t only help the kids, but their families and entire communities as well. These practical, long-term community-development programs empower the children and those around them to improve their lives in lasting and transformational ways.