In 1995, girls made up only 43 percent of gross primary school enrollments in low-income countries. By 2005 they will still make up only 47 percent of all primary enrollments. In 1996, girls made up about 40 percent of secondary enrollments. Girls' secondary enrollments have been rising at a faster rate than boys. By 2005 girls will also make up about 47 percent of gross secondary enrollments.
Education is much worse for the poor.
In many countries, most children from the poorest households have no schooling. There are often enormous gaps between the educational attainment of the rich and of the poor within countries. In India, for example, 15-19 year olds from the richest 20 percent of households have completed on average ten years of schooling. Children from the poorest 40 percent of households have on average no schooling. In some countries there is an enormous drop-off in school enrollment, especially among the poor.