The cost of violence in schools

For the first time ever, we can put a monetary value on the impact of violence in and around schools – we now know that the global cost is estimated at US$11 trillion in lost lifetime earnings. By assessing the negative impacts of violence in and around schools, the Investment Case on Ending Violence in Schools shows clearly that preventing violence is essential for improving learning, strengthening economies, and fulfilling every child’s right to education.

Cost-benefit analyses demonstrate that evidence-based interventions yield returns far greater than their costs – making this one of the smartest and most urgent investments governments and donors can make.
 

Violence harms learning and the economy

Violence does not only cause trauma. It reduces learning outcomes, increases absenteeism and dropout, and limits children’s future opportunities. The Investment Case highlights that:

• Being bullied, threatened, or attacked significantly reduces performance in reading, mathematics, and science; reducing violence leads to measurable gains in test scores.
• Corporal punishment – still legal in 67 countries – lowers learning outcomes and reinforces harmful norms.
• Violence increases school absenteeism by up to four percentage points and contributes to dropout, especially for girls facing harassment, early pregnancy, or marriage.

Countries cannot afford the cost of inaction. Preventing violence in schools is foundational to improving learning outcomes, developing a skilled workforce, and building more equal and productive societies.
 

Solutions exist – and they work

Violence is preventable. The Investment Case presents a strong evidence base showing that effective, scalable interventions exist across the life cycle:

• Early childhood and parenting programmes build positive discipline and emotional regulation.
• Social and emotional learning (SEL) improves empathy, conflict resolution, behaviour, and academic performance.
• Anti-bullying and school climate initiatives reduce victimization and strengthen teacher–student relationships.
• Life-skills and gender-transformative programmes – especially for adolescent girls – reduce harassment and support participation.
• Teacher training and positive discipline approaches reduce corporal punishment and improve classroom climate.
• Community engagement and social norms interventions help shift harmful attitudes and reinforce safety.
   

Across all categories, benefits far outweigh costs. Many interventions deliver cost-benefit ratios of 10:1, returning ten dollars for every one invested through improved earnings, reduced health costs, and stronger learning outcomes. 

Investing in proven approaches to prevent and respond to violence in schools is one of the most cost-effective ways to strengthen education systems and build human capital. When schools are safe, learning improves and inequities narrow, giving all children the chance to thrive.