The world will need 50 million additional teachers by 2030 to give every child a place in school, according to figures released by UNESCO on World Teachers' Day, 5 October.

The breakdown

  • 44 million teachers are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education.
  • 6 million more are needed for pre-primary education.

UNESCO released the figures in a joint message with the International Labour Organization, UNICEF and Education International. "Every learner deserves a teacher who is well prepared, well supported and empowered to thrive in the profession," the organisations said.

Not only a problem for poorer countries

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the largest regional share of the gap, but the shortage is not limited to low-income systems. Wealthier countries also struggle to recruit and keep teachers, a point the OECD made a week earlier when it devoted its annual Education at a Glance report to teacher shortages.

Sixty years of a teachers' charter

This year's World Teachers' Day marked 60 years since the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which set out teachers' rights, responsibilities and professional standards. The 2026 theme was "Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures".

Why the number keeps growing

Part of the gap comes from population growth and from more children staying in school longer. Part comes from teachers leaving the profession, which means recruitment alone cannot close it. Pay, workload and training are the levers governments are now being urged to use.

Sources