More than half of Afghanistan’s primary school-age children remain outside formal education, while more than 2.6 million girls are unable to continue their studies beyond the sixth grade, according to a new report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UNICEF.

The report, titled Afghanistan Education Situation 2026, warns that the country’s education system is struggling to meet growing demand amid population growth, recurring emergencies, insufficient investment and the large-scale return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran.

According to the report, Afghanistan’s school-age population, comprising children and young people aged seven to 18, increased from approximately 10.4 million in 2019 to 11.5 million in 2024, putting additional pressure on schools, teachers and education services.

More than one million Afghans returned from neighbouring countries this year, including over 245,000 children, further increasing the demand for educational services.

The report highlights significant disparities in access to education, particularly for girls, noting that more than 2.6 million girls have been unable to attend school beyond grade six since August 2021.

It says alternative learning opportunities, including community-based classes, literacy programmes, distance education and private tutoring, remain insufficient to meet the educational needs of teenage girls.

Although around 5,300 community-based classes provide learning opportunities to approximately 162,000 students, with girls accounting for 64 percent of participants, the UN agencies stress that these programmes cannot replace formal, in-person education.

The report also points to declining school participation among boys, estimating that around 53 percent of primary school-age children are currently outside formal general education. Participation rates at lower and upper secondary levels stand at 67 percent and 79 percent, respectively.

Despite these challenges, Afghan families continue to seek educational opportunities for their children.

Around 6.6 million children enrolled in public primary schools last year, approximately 560,000 more than in 2022. However, the report says enrolment growth has not kept pace with the increasing school-age population.

It also raises concerns about the quality of education, noting that a nationwide assessment found fewer than half of fourth-grade students had achieved minimum proficiency in language skills.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s higher education sector remains significantly smaller than before 2021. Around 208,000 students are enrolled in universities this year, compared with 189,000 in 2024 and approximately 430,000 in 2020.

UNESCO and UNICEF have called for the full restoration of girls’ and women’s right to education and increased investment in teachers, learning materials and education services.

The agencies warn that without urgent action to address the challenges facing the sector, an entire generation of Afghans risks being left behind, with serious consequences for the country’s future recovery and development.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to an extraordinary 23-year career with Portugal.

The 41-year-old forward said on Thursday that he would step away from the national team after Portugal’s November fixtures, signalling the end of an era for one of football’s greatest players.

In an Instagram post, Ronaldo said he would “hand back the number 7 shirt” following the international break.

Portugal are scheduled to face Denmark on November 14 before travelling to Wales three days later.

A record-breaking career

Ronaldo retires as the leading goalscorer in men’s international football, with 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal.

Since making his international debut against Kazakhstan in August 2003, he has established himself as one of the most decorated players in the history of the game.

He captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and later helped the team secure UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first player to score at six editions of the men’s tournament. Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual champions Spain.

Tensions with Portugal coach

Ronaldo’s announcement follows a reported dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus during the September international window.

The forward left the national team camp after being left on the bench against Norway. He subsequently apologised to supporters and teammates but accused the coach of breaking promises regarding his playing time.

Ronaldo had previously indicated that he remained available for selection, even if disciplinary action was taken against him by the Portuguese Football Federation.

He also revealed that he had prepared a retirement letter following the 2026 World Cup but was persuaded to continue by federation president Pedro Proenca.

His decision marks the end of his international career, but not his involvement in professional football. Ronaldo is expected to continue playing at club level for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is expanding support for women and girls across Afghanistan through healthcare, cash assistance, vocational training and economic empowerment programs.

In a report titled “Afghanistan: Supporting Women and Girls to Thrive Despite Challenges,” the organization highlighted efforts to improve maternal health, combat malnutrition and create economic opportunities for vulnerable women.

In partnership with the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), the ICRC provides six months of cash assistance and nutrition guidance to pregnant and breastfeeding women. The program reached 1,400 women across four provinces in 2026.

The organization also supports 47 ARCS healthcare centers, which provided more than 800,000 outpatient consultations for women between June 2025 and July 2026. Services included more than 980 deliveries, 111,000 antenatal consultations and 39,000 postnatal consultations.

Economic empowerment is another focus, with 437 women and girls with disabilities receiving vocational training and 101 benefiting from interest-free loans during the same period. More than 33,800 also received physiotherapy, while over 12,600 benefited from prosthetic and mobility devices.

Additional programs include financial assistance for female-headed households, emergency medical training for female healthcare workers and awareness campaigns on explosive hazards, which have reached around 260,000 women and girls.

The ICRC says its initiatives aim to help women and girls access essential services, strengthen their independence and build more secure futures despite ongoing challenges.