Rural India’s gender gap in school completion persists, UNESCO Report finds

India has made progress in reducing gender gaps in education, yet the gap in upper secondary completion is still large in rural areas. In rural India, 59 girls complete upper secondary education for every 100 boys, with gender parity in urban areas, according to UNESCO’s article on ‘Gender and education: What is the latest data and evidence?’

India’s gender parity index for upper secondary completion is 0.89 nationally, and in rural areas it is 0.59. A value of one represents equal completion rates of boys and girls. The findings are part of the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, which analyses inequalities in access to and completion of education between countries and population groups.

India is among the countries making “fast progress” in reducing gender gaps in both timely and ultimate upper secondary completion, according to UNESCO. But the report warns that national progress can mask inequities based on household wealth and geography. It emphasises the value of looking at who actually makes it through school, not just enrolment.

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Completion beyond enrolment

The report uses completion, which is defined by whether learners are in the final grade of an education level. Its analysis includes those who graduate three to five years after the official graduation age. It also includes ultimate completion, which is learners completing up to eight years late.

Globally in 2024, 63% of girls and 60% of boys completed upper secondary education. Rates in Central and Southern Asia, which includes India, were 57% for girls and 60% for boys. As noted by UNESCO, gender parity does not necessarily mean gender equity, an index can improve when girls’ participation increases but boys’ participation remains static or declines.

The report describes a number of initiatives that have increased girls’ access to education in India. In poor rural areas, free school lunches almost doubled the increase in primary enrolment for girls compared to boys. Consistent meal support has been associated with lower dropout rates, especially for girls.

India’s massive campaign to build latrines across the country increased the number of girls attending school, especially in schools with toilets that were only for girls. The report emphasises the need for privacy and safety as well as access to sanitary facilities.

A random trial in 121 villages in Karnataka found that local clubs that promoted girls’ life skills and social networks modestly improved secondary school completion. But for many girls, early marriage was still a risk.

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Global gender gaps persist

Gender parity in enrolment from pre-primary to upper secondary education was achieved by 2024, but disparities persist at other levels. For every 100 young women enrolled in tertiary education there were 88 young men. Worldwide, there are more boys than girls out of school for more than 15 years.

Africa offers a short regional comparison. The continent reached parity in primary enrolment in 2021 and is close to parity in lower secondary education. But in 2024 there were 93 girls enrolled in upper secondary education for every 100 boys.

UNESCO recommends free and compulsory education and financial assistance, stating “Governments should combine policies addressing financial, social and educational barriers, guided by evidence about who is furthest behind”. It also says, “monitor participation and completion by gender, wealth and location, including delayed completion”.

The findings underscore that for India, progress toward gender parity needs to be reflected in more rural girls completing upper secondary education and having equal opportunities for higher education and employment.