Nearly 64 Million Brazilians Lack Basic Education, New Network Reports

Overview

• The Rede EJA e Inclusão Produtiva and partners estimate 63.9–64 million people aged 15 or older left school without completing basic education, about 37% of that population.
• The study says Brazil’s main adult program, EJA, reaches only about 1.5% of potential demand and that annual enrollments fell to roughly 2.2 million in 2025 after years of decline.
• Researchers find that between 2012 and 2025 roughly 51% of the decline in the non‑scholar population is explained by aging and mortality while only 8% is attributable to EJA completion.
• Low schooling is linked to deep inequality and large economic losses, with average per‑capita income for the non‑scholar group near R$1,427 and an estimated R$66 billion a year in foregone earnings.
• The coalition launched the study and Rede on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and called for seven priority actions including active search for dropouts, targeted funding for poor regions, guaranteed continuous financing, childcare and flexible hours to help adults combine study with work and care.